A HIGH-POWER HIGH-EFFICIENCY CU-NE-HBR (LAMBDA=510.6, 578.2 NM) LASER

A high-power copper bromide laser, which utilizes the technique of in situ production of CuBr by reaction of copper and HBr, is reported. The 45 mm bore copper HyBrID (Hydrogen Bromide In Discharge) laser has produced a maximum average output power at 510.6 and 578.2 nm of 94 W at 21 kHz pulse recurrence frequency, with an efficiency (based on stored energy) of 1.5%. The corresponding specific output power was 52 mW cm-3. An efficiency of 2.7% has been achieved for an average output power of 40 W. Laser oscillation can be obtained less than 15 minutes after a cold start-up, with full power attained 5 min later.