High-power CO2 laser with coaxial waveguide and diffusion cooling

A diffusion-cooled CO2 laser using a coaxial waveguide is analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The resonator extracting the laser beam consists of two annular plane mirrors enclosing the two ends of the waveguide. The beam exits through an aperture in one of these annular mirrors. The mirror tilt is shown to provide efficient beam extraction through this aperture. A theoretical resonator model based on the vector modes of propagation in a dielectric coaxial waveguide is presented. Experimental data show the feasibility of coaxial waveguide lasers and their ability to supply beams of high power and quality. Experimental data are discussed with respect to the presented theory.