Metal vapor lasers with thyratron-free power sources
Results of studying and designing an excitation pulse generator with magnetic compression of pulses by saturated choke for pumping active media of CuBr, Sr, and Ca vapor lasers are presented. A power IGBT transistor is used as a commutator. The generator makes it possible to operate at an excitation pulse repetition frequency of up to 20 kHz. The total average power at all generation lines in a CuBr laser with pumping from this generator is of about 6.0 W; in Sr and Ca lasers, of about 1.3–1.7 W.