Computer modelling of copper vapour lasers

A comprehensive and self-consistent computer model has been developed to simulate the discharge kinetics and lasing characteristics of a copper vapour laser(CVL) for typical operating conditions. Using a detailed rate-equation analysis, the model calculates the spatio-temporal evolution of the population densities of eleven atomic and ionic copper levels, four neon levels, and includes seventy collisional and radiative processes, in addition to radial particle transport. A comprehensive set of electron impact cross-sections for Cu I has been used from recent detailed calculations . For the first time in the modelling of CVL kinetics, a time dependent two-electron group model, based on a bi-Maxwellian electron energy distribution function, has been used to evaluate the energy partitioning between the copper vapour and the neon buffer gas. The behaviour of the plasma kinetics are dominated by the neon buffer gas, has also been modelled. The long-term evolution of the plasma is taken into account by integrating the set of coupled rate equations describing the discharge and electrical circuit through multiple excitation/ afterglow cycles to achieve temporal self-consistency. Results from the model have been compared to experimental date for a narrow bore (Φ=1.8cm) CVL operating under optimum conditions.