Abstract: A fast chopper was used to set up a simple mechanical Q\|switched CO2 laser with longitudinal DC discharge. The laser pulse with peak power 1~2 kW, repetition rate to 740 Hz, pulse width 200~300 ns, was realized. The dynamical process of Q\|switching for the simple mechanical Q\|switched CO2 laser was simulated by a six\|temperature model. The effects of the dynamical parameters such as the dissociation of CO2 molecules, the electron density in the cavity (the discharge current) on the output laser intensity were reported. Q\|switched output pulse shape, pulse peak power and pulse width were calculated. The theoretical analysis is well consistent with the experimental result. 

Key words: laser technique, pulsed CO₂laser, mechanical Q-switch, six-temperature model