Abstract

A novel design for a dc-excited cw CO₂ metal waveguide laser has been developed in which a slotted hollow cathode also doubles as a metal waveguide for the cavity modes. This design has been implemented in a compact structure that produces up to 1 W of cw 10.6-μm radiation. The discharge characteristics, laser gain, and laser output have been studied as functions of various discharge parameters. The advantages of the new transverse-discharge slotted hollow cathode geometry include low voltage, positive impedance, rugged design, and high optical gain. Overall efficiency is comparable with that of conventional longitudinal CO₂ lasers. The output laser modes were very clean low-order Gaussian or Airy function modes.

© 1988 Optical Society of America