Generation of single ultrashort CO(2) laser pulses in a Fabry-Perot interferometer

In a manner analogous to optical free-induction decay, we have generated ultrashort (<100 psec) intense infrared optical pulses by reflecting an abruptly terminated CO(2) laser pulse from an appropriately adjusted Fabry-Perot interferometer. Because a suitable resonantly absorbing material is not required, the scheme is applicable to any intense narrow-band laser system.