This is a general thread about normal and abnormal behavior of co2 laser tube.
I'm new to this forum but I do work on CO2 laser quite a lot [ Chinese Shenhui ].
I was supplied with 50w co2 tube which lasted for just about 440h of light, only because of PSU was set too high.
I bought new tube form COLE TECH eBay but 60w, I had to build an extension to install it.
As my PSU can produce up to 26mA I decided to leave it in, but I did set it up to 22mA max - as much as tube manufacturer recommends.
Laser cuts like a charm. Thanks to clear window in extension I could see how it works. It wasn't easy to notice that plasma behaves so ... - video - http://youtu.be/ArsU5Lk7xI8 -
My last tube was not visible most of the time, window gave me the ability to see it all the time and there is my observation:
Most of the time Plasma is lit also in spiral catalyst at 22mA, it is not visible at daylight, only after dusk. It is not easy to spot, but I could see that plasma is also lit in spiral tubing and heading towards cathode, it literally makes plasma longer. This is a very subtle difference. Sometimes it stops without reason [ one line, same power, temp not more than 20*C ], and small raise of power is noticeable but I can't tell how much as I do not have power meter anymore.
QUESTION - Has anyone experienced it before? Should plasma be lit in spiral catalyst too? Why it occurs ?
I would appreciate videos of Your tube working in dark.
Thank You.
