Abstract

Continuous wave 16-μm laser performance was analyzed using a model based on a conventional CO₂ gasdynamic laser (GDL) and assuming that the intensity distribution of a 9.4-μm saturating beam is uniform. By injecting a cw 9.4-μm [P(14)] beam with the power of a few kilowatts into the CO₂ GDL, a 16-μm small signal gain of more than 1% cm⁻¹ was achieved. A 16-μm beam with more than 2.0 W/cm³ was obtainable on the P(15) line of the (02⁰0)−(01¹0) transition. The conditions of the GDL were 15-atm optimum reservoir pressure and 1200 K temperature; the gas mixture was CO₂:N₂:H₂ = 20:73:7 (%), and the nozzle area ratio was 100. It was found that the efficient injection of the saturating beam can raise the 16-μm laser efficiency up to 10%. The 16-μm laser output characteristics are also presented here as a function of total power of the 9.4-μm injecting beam, the intensity, and the spot size.

© 1981 Optical Society of America

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