Abstract

A hollow metallic waveguide with rectangular cross section has been developed as a means for transmitting high-power CO₂ laser light safely and conveniently for moderate distances.¹ We report here low-loss transmission of kilowatts of power and explain the technique for obtaining single-mode propagation and diffraction-limited output. We also extend these waveguides to the visible, demonstrating single-mode output at 0.63 µm from a waveguide fabricated with commercially available materials.

© 1984 Optical Society of America