A new galvanometric scanner for rapid tuning of CO/sub 2/ lasers

A device for rapidly tuning both CW (continuous-wave) and TEA (transversely excited atmospheric) CO/sub 2/ lasers is presented. This galvanometer-driven unit is of considerable importance over that previously reported in that it can attain at least 200 Hz tuning without the need for additional equipment or algorithms. Tuning a TEA laser at repetition rates of 200 Hz has been demonstrated for even the widest excursions, corresponding to tuning over the entire CO/sub 2/ spectrum. No amplitude-dependent adjustments were needed for even the weakest available transitions. CW laser tuning was also demonstrated to approximate this limit, and it was shown that this type of galvanometer is also suitable for heterodyne detection lidar tuning.<
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