Determination of the rate of relaxation of the upper active level during prolonged operation of a cw electron-beam-controlled technological CO2 laser

An experimental study was made of changes in the parameters of an electron-beam-controlled discharge and of the efficiency of lasing during prolonged operation of a cw closed-cycle technological CO₂ laser with an output power of 10 kW. It was found that prolonged operation reduced not only the discharge current but also the efficiency because of the formation of impurities which increased the rate of relaxation of the upper active level.