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Mode and frequency control of compact CO_2 slab lasers through intracavity coherent imaging

1995; Optica Publishing Group; Volume: 34; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1364/ao.34.000418

0003-6935

R. J. Morley, E. F. Yelden, H. J. Baker, D. R. Hall,

Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices

The modal properties of a compact, slab waveguide CO2 laser are presented. Laser operation without mode selection is observed to be in groups of well-defined slab-waveguide modes that systematically change with mirror translation through a free spectral range and produce multiple homodyne beats. Single-mode operation, which is obtained through the addition of a wire-grid mode selector in combination with Talbot–effect imaging, is found to be stable over a significant range of resonator mirror tilt and optical cavity length translation. An output power of 65 W in a stable mode has been obtained from a compact laser head that is approximately 260 mm in overall length.