Blackbody-pumped CO2 lasers using Gaussian and waveguide cavities

Jim J. Chang; Walter H. Christiansen

doi:10.1117/12.43644

1 May 1991 Blackbody-pumped CO₂ lasers using Gaussian and waveguide cavities

Jim J. Chang, Walter H. Christiansen

Proceedings Volume 1412, Gas and Metal Vapor Lasers and Applications; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43644
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

A large scale pulsed laser system with heated tantalum foils as the blackbody pumping source was built in the laboratory. A deeper understanding of the effects of pumping configurations and laser modes on the blackbody pumped CO₂ laser has been achieved through parametric studies using this system. Theoretical analysis and experimental investigation show the feasibility of a slab pumping scheme which may be applied to large scale transverse flow laser systems. The use of an 8 mm tube with waveguide quality enables generation of both gaussian and waveguide modes in the same structure with different optics setup. The experiment demonstrates that high waveguide cavity losses can be prevented with large bore structure (> 4 mm) and the advantage of better filling of the laser gain region by waveguide modes is clearly observed. The size scaling studies also indicate that there are similarity relations of the optimum laser parameters between different sizes of tube in optically pumped gas lasers.

Citation Download Citation

Jim J. Chang and Walter H. Christiansen "Blackbody-pumped CO₂ lasers using Gaussian and waveguide cavities", Proc. SPIE 1412, Gas and Metal Vapor Lasers and Applications, (1 May 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43644

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available