SIMPLE TRANSITION-LOCKED AND POLARIZATION-FORCED MULTI-LINE OSCILLATOR FOR HIGH-POWER CO2-LASER SYSTEMS

Employing injection-locking techniques an oscillator configuration was found comprising in a simple way all the features required for fusion directed high-power CO2 laser systems. The oscillator provides emission in single axial modes on rotational transitions which can be freely selected by feeding fluencies of a few mW/cm2 at the particular transition into the oscillator cavity. In the same way simultaneous emission on selectable lines can be achieved. By the same principle the oscillator can be forced to emit in any orientation of polarization. The set up is relatively simple, the alignment rather uncritical, and the operation reliable. Gaussian-shaped nanosecond pulses with low forepulse power are produced with the help of a pulse cutter and saturable multiline absorber. The set up is described and its features are demonstrated by measurements. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.