SINGLE-MODE PULSES FROM A HIGH-PRESSURE CO2-LASER OPERATED BELOW EMISSION THRESHOLD

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of single-longitudinal mode pulses using a reliable injection seeding technique that does not require cavity length matching between the master oscillator and the seeded laser. By a suitable selection of operating parameters, a high-pressure CO2 laser leads to no detectable output in the absence of injection seeding, and to single-mode pulses when seeded with a quasi-continuous CO2 laser. A simple analysis is also presented that describe quantitatively the dynamics involved in the process.