Near- and far-field properties of annular CO2 waveguide lasers

The theoretical and experimental investigation of field properties of annular waveguide lasers with a Fabry-Perot resonator is presented. Oscillation with high azimuthal mode order leads to an annular intensity distribution in the far field with almost linear dependence of the annular diameter on the mode order. Low-order fields form a distinct focal spot in the far field. A laser device with a discharge area of 6-cm diameter and 53-cm length yields an output power of 600 W. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.