Estimation of Small Signal Gain and Saturation Intensity in a Waveguide CO2 Laser by a Curve-Fitting Technique

Abstract

Output power curves as a function of the frequency have been measured by heterodying between a gas flowing waveguide and a conventional sealed-off CO2 laser with a W–Ni point contact diode. The small signal gain, saturation intensity, collision-broadened linewidth and frequency tunability are simultaneously estimated by fitting a theoretical equation to output power curves according to a least-squares technique.