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Fahlen, T. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Fahlen, T. S..

CO2 laser design procedure.

A simple but powerful formalism is presented that allows one to physically design a sealed CO2 laser of any specified fundamental transverse-mode output power. The design material presented, graphically whenever possible, also allows one to determine the effect on the others of varying one design parameter. Although the formalism presented is based on some empirical and some theoretical parametric interrelationships pertinent to the CO2 laser, the treatment is general and with appropriate adjustments can be applied to other laser systems as well. The design of a 5-W sealed CO2 laser is presented to illustrate the use of the formalism developed.

Fahlen, T. S.

Life testing of metal-ceramic CO2 lasers

The main purpose of this program was to determine the life characteristics of nine space-qualified, metal-ceramic CO2 lasers. Lifetimes ranged between about 400 hours to over 2000 hours (the limit of testing) with a high degree of consistency in like groups. In all cases the tubes which had failed could be restored to near their original power by doubling the cathode current for 30 minutes. Periodic rejuvenation allowed operation for the full 2000 hours on all tubes. The failure mechanism appears to involve formation of NiO and C on the nickel cathode emission surface with subsequent absorption of tube gases.

Fahlen, T. S.