Stabilization of the composition of the gaseous medium in a pulse-periodic CO2 laser by hopcalite

The results of experiments on using hopcalite to stabilize the gas mixture composition in pulseperiodic and single-pulse CO₂ lasers are reported. A study was made of the reasons for a fall in the activity of the catalyst with time under typical CO₂ laser conditions and a catalyst regeneration regime was selected. The use of hopcalite ensured prolonged operation of a high-power pulseperiodic CO₂ laser without replenishment of the gas mixture in a closed loop. Certain characteristic features concerning the use of hopcalite are described.