A CO2 gas laser in which gas byproducts are removed by circulating and replenishing the gas mixture. Turbine blowers push the gas through the laser tube at high speeds and gas-to-liquid heat exchangers cool the gas. The power output of fast axial-flow lasers are about 1 kilowatt per meter of tube length. Small, powerful units with excellent beam quality and output power ratings between 1 and 6 kilowatts are commonly used for welding, cutting, and surface treatment applications.
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