Simultaneous CO and CO2laser

CW laser action at both the 5- and 10.6-μm wavelength regions has been achieved simultaneously from CO and CO
2
molecules in a slowly flowing mixture of He-air-CO. Two dc discharges through the premixed gases within a segmented laser cavity were used to provide molecular excitation and generate CO
2
molecules by discharge-initiated CO oxidation. Both liquid nitrogen and room-temperature water cooling were used concurrently. A total power of about 2 W has been achieved with approximately half the power in each wavelength region.