CO2 Laser
CO2 laser produces light when electricity runs through
a gas-filled tube.
A CO2 molecule has a carbon atom at the center with two
oxygen atoms attached, one
at both sides. Such a molecule exhibits three independent
modes of vibrations.
1. Symmetric stretching mode
In this mode of vibration, carbon atoms are at rest and both oxygen
atoms vibrate simultaneously along the axis of the molecule departing
or approaching the fixed carbon atoms.
2. Bending mode
In this mode of vibration, oxygen atoms and carbon atoms vibrate perpendicu
3. Asymmetric stretching mode
In this mode of vibration, oxygen atoms and carbon atoms vibrate
asymmetrically, i.e., oxygen atoms move in one direction while carbon atoms
in the other direction.
Principle
The active medium is a gas mixture of CO2, N2 and He. The laser transition
takes place between the vibrational states of CO2 molecules.
Construction
consists of a quartz tube 5 m long and 2.5 cm in the diameter. This discharge tube is filled with
gaseous mixture of CO2 (active medium), helium and nitrogen with suitable partial pressures. The
terminals of the discharge tubes are connected to a D.C power supply. The ends of the discharge tube are
fitted with NaCl Brewster windows so that the laser light generated will be polarized. Two concave
mirrors one fully reflecting and the other partially form an optical resonator.
WORKING
When an electric discharge
occurs in the gas, the electrons
collide with nitrogen molecules
and they are raised to excited
states.
This process is
represented by the
equation
N2 + e* = N2*+ e
Where, N2 – Nitrogen Molecule in ground state ,
e* - Electron with KE,
N2* – Nitrogen Molecule in excited state,
Now N2 molecules in the excited
e* - Electron with lesser energy state collide with CO2 atoms in
ground state and excite to higher
electronic, vibrational and
rotational levels.
N2 molecules in excited state collide with CO2
atom in ground state excited to higher electronic
vibration and rotation level
this process is
represented by,
N2 * + CO2 = N2+ CO2*
N2* - Nitrogen molecule in excited state. CO2 =
Carbon dioxide atoms in ground state
CO2* - Carbon dioxide atoms in excited state N2
= Nitrogen molecule in ground state.
As soon as population Inversion reached any of the spontaneously emitted
photon will trigger laser action
2 Types of laser transitions possible
Transition E5 to E4 : This will produce a laser beam of wavelength
10.6µm
Transition E5 to E3 This transition will produce a laser beam of
wavelength 9.6µm.
Advantages Disadvantages
1. The construction of CO2 laser is simple 1. The operating temp. plays an important
2. The output of this laser is continuous. role in determining the output power of
3. It has high efficiency laser.
4. It has very high output power. 2. Accidental exposure may damage our
5. The output power can be increased by eyes, since it is invisible (infra red
extending the length of the gas tube. region) to our eyes.
Applications
1. It is used for treatment of liver and lung diseases.
2. It is mostly used in neurosurgery and general surgery.
3. It is used to perform microsurgery and bloodless operations.