Progress of numerical simulation of high power fast-axial-flow CO2 lasers

The research and development of the numerical simulation of fast axial flow CO2 lasers,and the main purposes,methods results and application meanings of the numerical simulation were reviewed.The comparison and analysis of the numerical simulation were made on three points as theory equations,numerical method and computation results.The forms,physical meanings and approximations of theory model were disused,the advantages and disadvantages of different numerical methods were analyzed,and the different computational results about the relation between the parameters and performances of lasers were listed.The latest results showed that the discharge characteristics and laser output were relative with structures of discharge tubes and electrodes,distribution of velocity,temperature,pressure,turbulent status and other parameters.According to the development of fast-axial-flow CO2lasers and the computer technology,the improving direction of the numerical simulation was proposed and the application prospects of modeling results under new computing platform were made for design and optimization of lasers.