Continuously wavelength tunable high pressure CO2 lasers

Results obtained from a small discharge cross section (10×10 mm), high pressure (10 bar) TE CO2 laser are presented demonstrating continuous wavelength tunability of the laser. Two arbitrary wavelength regions in the 9P and 10P branches are chosen to demonstrate the continuous tunability of the laser wavelength. Furthermore stability of the laser output is demonstrated over extended periods of operation. Other output parameters of the high pressure laser such as temporal pulse profile and peak pulse power were also measured. Preliminary results will be presented of a discharge system scaled to larger discharge cross sections intended for high pressure amplifiers in ultra short pulse terawatt laser systems. Electrode separations of up to 50 mm have been investigated with measured discharge widths of 80 mm. The system has been operated at gas pressures of up to 3.5 bar with various CO2 laser gas mixtures. Discharge stability studies and gain measurements are reported.