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Waveguide CO2 laser gain - Dependence on gas kinetic and discharge propertiesA simple rate-equation approach is used to examine the gas-kinetic and discharge properties of waveguide CO2 lasers. The dependence of the population inversion and laser small-signal gain on gas pressure, gas mixture, pumping rate (discharge current), tube bore diameter, and wall temperature is calculated along with the dependence of laser tunability on the gas-kinetic properties and cavity losses. It is found that for low-loss cavities, the laser tunability may substantially exceed the molecular full width at half-maximum. Furthermore, the more helium-rich gas mixtures give greater tunability when cavity losses are small, and less tunability when cavity losses are large. By contrast with conventional lasers, the waveguide-laser transition is homogeneously broadened. Thus, the dependence of gain on gas pressure and other kinetic properties differs substantially from that predicted by scaling results from conventional low-pressure lasers.
Document ID
19760046846
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cohen, S. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laser Technology Branch, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
Volume: QE-12
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Accession Number
76A29812
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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