CO2 Waveguide Gas Laser

Abstract

The characteristics of a CO2 waveguide gas laser are described. An output power of 2.5 W was obtained from a discharge tube having a 23.7-cm length and a 3.3-mm diameter. The output mode pattern was very stable and insensitive to disturbances of the resonator and indicates the laser output is predominantly the EH11 waveguide mode. The power output was sensitive to mirror position, and maximum power was obtained when the centers of curvature of the mirrors were a few centimeters inside the waveguide.