Abstract

The operating characteristics of an optically pumped CO₂ laser are analyzed by a mathematical procedure that treats the transport of the pumping radiation according to the method of Milne. Simple expressions are obtained for laser power output and efficiency vs such operating parameters as initial pressure, species concentrations, output mirror transmittance, linewidth of the pumping radiation, and cavity dimensions. Optimum power output efficiencies appear to be comparable with those of electrical discharge and chemically pumped CO₂ lasers.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Laser-Induced Chemical Reactions

N. V. Karlov
Appl. Opt. 13(2) 301-309 (1974)

Kinetic Model and Computer Simulation of Continuous Wave DF-CO₂ Chemical Transfer Lasers

W. Baumann, J. A. Blauer, S. W. Zelazny, and W. C. Solomon
Appl. Opt. 13(12) 2823-2834 (1974)

Quenching of Infrared Chemiluminescence. 1: The Rates of De-Excitation of CO (4 ≤ v ≤ 13) by He, CO, NO, N₂, O₂, OCS, N₂O, and CO₂

G. Hancock and I. W. M. Smith
Appl. Opt. 10(8) 1827-1842 (1971)

Beam Diagnostics for High Energy Pulsed CO₂ Lasers

R. W. O’Neil, H. Kleiman, L. C. Marquet, C. W. Kilcline, and D. Northam
Appl. Opt. 13(2) 314-321 (1974)

High Temperature Absorption in CO₂ at 10.6 μm

A. R. Strilchuk and A. A. Offenberger
Appl. Opt. 13(11) 2643-2646 (1974)