Effects of laser resonator parameters and gain saturation on the frequency chirp of pulsed CO2 lasers

Mark S. Bowers; Stephen E. Moody

doi:10.1117/12.150640

13 August 1993 Effects of laser resonator parameters and gain saturation on the frequency chirp of pulsed CO₂ lasers

Mark S. Bowers, Stephen E. Moody

Proceedings Volume 1868, Laser Resonators and Coherent Optics: Modeling, Technology, and Applications; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.150640
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

A novel computer model of an injection-seeded pulsed CO₂ laser is used to predict the intrapulse frequency chirp as a function of laser resonator and gain medium parameters. A new mechanism for causing intrapulse frequency sweeping is predicted. It is found that nonuniform and time-varying gain saturation changes the transverse distribution of the intracavity electric field during the laser pulse, which leads to a change in the oscillator frequency. This mechanism is predicted to be much more pronounced in low-magnification graded-reflectivity unstable resonators as compared to low-Fresnel-number stable resonators. It is also shown that to obtain quantitative estimates of chirp in large aperture unstable resonators lasers, it is necessary to couple the intracavity electric field with realistic laser kinetics and index-changing mechanisms.

Citation Download Citation

Mark S. Bowers and Stephen E. Moody "Effects of laser resonator parameters and gain saturation on the frequency chirp of pulsed CO₂ lasers", Proc. SPIE 1868, Laser Resonators and Coherent Optics: Modeling, Technology, and Applications, (13 August 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.150640

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