CO2 Laser
CO2 laser - advantages at a glance
What is a CO2 laser and how does it work?
A CO2 laser (carbon dioxide laser) is one of the most powerful gas lasers for industrial applications. It was invented by laser physicist Kumar Patel in the USA in 1964, but the technology of the original machine has been continuously developed and improved and still offers a wide range of applications today. The active medium in the CO2 laser is a gas mixture consisting of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2) and helium (He). Carbon dioxide is the lasing molecule. To excite the medium, electrical waves in the megahertz range are passed through the gas mixture. This ionizes the molecules and generates an electrical discharge. This discharge excites the nitrogen molecules, which then transfer their energy to the CO2 molecules.
The energy transfer ensures that the CO2 molecules reach an excited state. An inversion of the occupation number occurs when there are more molecules in a higher energy state than in a lower state. When the excited CO2 molecules fall back to their ground state, they emit infrared photons. These infrared photons are reflected between two mirrors that form the laser resonator, stimulating further CO2 molecules to emit photons (stimulated emission). One of the mirrors is partially transparent and allows part of the light to escape as a laser beam. This can then be used for precise cutting, welding or even marking.
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With extensive laser experience, BLS supports customers as a contract manufacturer from parameter determination / basic development to prototype production and series production. High-performance machinery and different types of lasers and systems enable an optimized overall product. The quality management system and exchange with leading research institutes ensure quality at the highest level on a permanent basis.
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Types of CO2 lasers
Longitudinal and cross-flow laser
Longitudinal and cross-flow CO2 lasers generally have a high output power. The operating principle is based on a special gas mixture that is continuously drawn through the discharge tube by means of a vacuum pump. The direct current discharge ensures that part of the carbon dioxide is split into carbon monoxide and oxygen. There are several pumps in the pipe system. These continuously circulate the laser gas and thus ensure that the heat loss can be removed as efficiently as possible.
Waveguide laser
In this type of CO2 laser, two electrodes are used as waveguides. The device also has a cuboid resonator that dissipates the heat loss. Its relatively large surface area and small volume ensure that this process can take place as efficiently as possible.
TEA laser
TEA stands for“transverse electricexcitation at atmosphericpressure”, i.e. an electrical discharge transverse to the optical axis at a gas pressure corresponding to atmospheric pressure. This type of CO2 laser is used when high gas pressures of up to one bar with pulse durations of up to 100 ns are required. The discharge voltage is applied across the gas flow in short pulses of only one microsecond.
Completed laser
In a sealed laser, water vapor, hydrogen and oxygen are added to the gas mixture. This catalytically regenerates the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide via a platinum electrode. This type of CO2 laser is generally much cheaper, as the design means that there is no need to replace the gas. With particularly inexpensive laser sources made of glass, there is therefore no gas reprocessing. This is why laser tubes of this type lose power over time.
We realize your project with CO2 lasers - find out more now
With us, you have found the perfect partner in the field of laser processing, including for the increasingly rare CO2 laser! Whether you want to use this technology for welding, are looking for a high-quality CO2 laser cutter or want to commission processing with a CO2 laser engraving machine – BLS Lasertechnology is the right partner for you. Benefit from many years of experience, top quality and high-quality equipment.
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BLS Lasertechnology GmbH has all common laser welding processes at its disposal. We will be happy to advise you on the selection of the right process, taking into account the requirements of the weld seam and the component to be processed. The focus is always on quality and an optimum result. Contact us and together we will find a solution to your problem!
