Preionizer-induced pulsed-mode operation of a transverse-flow transversely excited CW CO/sub 2/ laser

A pulse-preionized, dc-excited, transverse-flow, CW CO/sub 2/ laser has been operated in pulsed mode without using a discharge power-switching scheme. The pulsation in laser power is produced by a pulsed current that flows from the dc power supply due to the collapse in the discharge impedance whenever a preionizer pulse appears. By properly choosing the preionizer-pulse repetition frequency, dc power-supply filter-capacitor value, and gas composition, the laser pulsation has been enhanced. This laser has been operated at 1-kW average laser power level in pulsed mode at 1.3-kHz pulse repetition frequency with a peak-to-average power ratio of 3.35 and laser-power modulation depth of almost 100%.