Pulsed Q-switched CO2 waveguide laser

Abstract

The performance of an rf-excited CO2 waveguide laser which was synchronously pulsed and electro-optically Q switched is described. Output power of up to 14 kW in 50 ns was achieved which was significantly higher than powers previously obtained from reported Q-switched CO2 waveguide lasers. Acoustical perturbations were created in the optical waveguide by the pulsed discharge. This resulted in discontinuous variation in the laser pulse energy as the pulse repetition frequency was varied. Extremely marked thermal effects on Q-switching performance were observed.