A Wavelength-Selective, Repetitively Pulsed CO(2) Laser

A CO(2) laser has been constructed and operated with two gas absorption cells built into the cavity. The first of the cells contains a gas that controls the wavelength of emission. The second contains a gas that forces the laser into a high frequency pulsed mode of operation. Details of the laser construction are given. The pulsing and wavelength shifting are accounted for by the spectroscopic and kinetics properties of the gases. The proper choice of absorbing gases has produced high powered pulsed operation at various wavelengths between 9.08 micro and 10.6 micro at repetition rates of up to 100 kHz. Applications and advantages of the wavelength-selective, repetitively pulsed laser are discussed.