Optimization performance of a CO2 pulsed tuneable laser

In this paper, a procedure is presented that will allow (i) the power and (ii) the energy of a pulsed and tuneable TEA CO2 laser to be optimized. This type of laser represents a significant improvement in performance and portability. Combining a pulse mode with a grating tuning facility, it enables us to scan the working wavelength between 9.2 and 10.8 mu m instead of the typical 1064 nm for other infrared lasers. Along the way, the study proved that there are many factors which could be improved in order to get even better results. Following an adequate procedure, the energy values could be optimized in intensity and stability, and therefore indirectly laser power. In addition, the same procedure allowed us to check the wavelengths of the laser emission lines in the absence of a spectrometer, using a previously established conversion table of the grating position versus line designation. This work is mainly intended for graduate and experimental physicists. This experimental work is being performed in our Physics Group at the New University of Lisbon, targeting physics students at the graduation level, in the aim of Bologna Master's degree.