Influences of statistical phase distortions of active medium on laser performances

Experimental results obtained with a high-power CO2 laser show that depending on the gas flowing state beam quality and output power of a gas laser can be strongly impacted by statistical phase distortions of the medium. To calculate the influences of statistical phase distortions on laser performances a theoretical model was developed. Using the model the dependencies of beam quality, the Strehl ratio and output power on the dimension and the strength of phase distortions were numerically studied. The model and the numerical results are presented and discussed in the paper.