Lens effect in the waveguide gas laser

Abstract

The radiation field of a planar waveguide laser with a nonuniformly heated gas causing the lens effect was studied. Conditions were found at which the losses at the walls and nonlinearity of the active medium (saturation) became essential. Calculations of the lasing of a xenon laser were performed with regard for the concurrence of modes. The radiation field distributions in the near and far diffraction zones were calculated. The results of calculations correlate qualitatively with experimental data.