Operating characteristics and discharge conditions of a CW 28-µm water vapor laser

The operating characteristics of a CW 28-μm water vapor laser are examined for various parameters which are the discharge current, the water vapor pressure, the wall temperature of the laser tube, the mass flow rate, and the mixing ratio of helium gas or hydrogen gas. Their optimum conditions for getting a maximum output power are found. There is a relation that the maximum output power at various pressures of the water vapor is obtained at the discharge current which dissociates the water-vapor molecule rapidly.