Direct Method of Laser Parameter Analysis Using Laser Oscillator

Abstract

A new method of laser parameter analysis is proposed in which gain parameter G0, saturation irradiance Is and a measure of partially homogeneous broadening m are readily determined by measuring the output powers of a traveling-wave-type laser oscillator twice for different intracavity losses without using any probe laser. Applying this scheme to a He–Ne 3.39 µm laser oscillator with a CH4 gas cells as a variable attenuator, G0=0.417 m-1, Is=1.36 mW/mm2 and |m|=0.710 (the ratio of the Lorentzian to Doppler line widths, i.e. ΔνL/ΔνD≃0.604) are obtained under 14 mA discharge current of the laser.