Need help identifying tubes

[styojm]

Hi All
I've recently found a CO2 tube (at least that's what has been marked on the box) in our storage room. Still, besides the mark "Schott Gerate", I cannot find any documents indicating the model number and specs, nor can I find those online.
Does anyone recognize this tube? It would be much appreciated if you could provide me the specs of the tube, as I'm thinking of making a laser out of it.

 

[turbohead]

Yes, it appears to be a sealed CO2 laser. You just need to add cooling and a high voltage power supply. How long is the tube?

 

[styojm]

Thanks for the reply, turbohead.
Well, I have not measured but it's about a feet or so. Do you know the voltage and current I should apply? And the power rating of this tube?

 

[turbohead]

If it is only a foot long, it is probably only good for 1 to 5 watts. You could probably energize it with a 9,000 volt neon sign transformer or less. Made sure the transformer is on a Variac so that you can control the voltage.

 

[styojm]

Ok. Thanks for the info.

 

[DashApple]

A tube that size will probably need between 10-15mA Max , My 15W tube needs 15mA .

 

[styojm]

Also, I noticed some screws on the high-reflector side of the tube. Is it for adjusting the high-reflector? Or for changing the mirror? I didn't try to take them off less that there will be gas leak...

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

It's hard to see, but it looks like they're pinching an optic. If that is the case, then don't touch them or else
it will misalign the LASER. Also, don't try firing it up until you have water flowing through it. Be very very
careful. 5-10W isn't much for a CO2, but it's still a LOT of power!

 

[Sigurthr]

Yep, if you don't have flowing water that is ok, you can run the tube for a minute or so max just by filling it up with cold water for a test.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Sig -- I tried the water fill thing several times on a 40W. The third time, it cracked. 5 second runs too :-(
Maybe I had a bad tube.
He said feet, not one foot. How many feet is the tube?
HMike

 

[Sigurthr]

Oh wow, that sucks HMike! I've run my 15W tube up to 90C water temp with it filled and sealed (with a balloon on one end for expansion). Perhaps pressure built up?

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Sig -- No - Just filled to the max and 5 second on.
That was long ago, the RF units are air cooled !
HMike

 

[styojm]

Hi Sig
So for your 15W tube you use a water with 90C? I actually have a vacant chiller, but I'm not sure about the water temperature. Maybe room temp?

 

[Sigurthr]

Oh no, what I meant is that I let it run without a heat exchanger until the water reached 90C.

 

[styojm]

So I should make the water cooling close to room temperature?

 

[Sigurthr]

That's ideal as there is the least stress on the glass.