We suggest using modulated self-injected radiation to achieve lasing regimes similar to Q-switching in a CO2 laser without loss of average output power. The feasibility of this solution is verified both theoretically and experimentally. Our theoretical model of CO2 laser is based on a standard six-temperature model supplemented with terms accounting for self-injection of laser output radiation. We show that temporal modulation of self-injected radiation with power several percent that of the laser output power in external optical systems achieves pulsed-periodical generation regime. The model is experimentally verified using a commercial CO2 laser. With modulation less than 5% of the output power pulsed-periodical lasing was realized. Pulse duration obtained was 300 ns with repetition rate of 20 kHz and power maximum-to-average rate around 20.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.