Abstract

In recent years, waveguide CO₂ lasers have been developed as compact sources of IR radiation with applications in spectroscopy, optical pumping, materials processing, and remote sensing. One important factor in their design is the control of transverse modes. The achievement of quasi- TEM₀₀ transverse mode output is clearly very desirable for applications where the laser radiation is to be focused or propagated over any distance. Moveover, in applications where the precise optical frequency is a key feature, the control of the axial mode structure assumes great importance. These two objectives must be achieved simultaneously in a laser to be continuously tuned over a substantial frequency range.

© 1984 Optical Society of America