Multi-atmosphere picosecond CO₂ amplifier optically pumped at 4.3  μm

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Materials Science

Background:

• High-power lasers are crucial for various scientific applications.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers offer potential for specific wavelength applications.
• Optical pumping is a method to energize laser media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of amplifying picosecond 10 μm pulses to gigawatt power levels.
• To explore the use of a tunable Fe:ZnSe laser for optical pumping of a CO2 laser.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations were employed to model the amplification process.
• A 20-atmosphere CO2 laser gain medium was simulated.
• Multi-millijoule 4.3 μm pulses from a Fe:ZnSe laser were used as the pump source.

Main Results:

• The study demonstrates the possibility of achieving gigawatt peak powers for picosecond 10 μm pulses.
• Successful amplification was shown within the simulated optically pumped CO2 laser system.

Conclusions:

• Optically pumped CO2 lasers can amplify picosecond pulses to high powers.
• Tunable Fe:ZnSe lasers are suitable pump sources for this application, enabling gigawatt-class 10 μm sources.