An improved scan laser with a VO2programmable mirror

A 10.6 μm scan laser has been constructed and operated with an off-axis cathode ray tube, high reflectance multilayer thin-film structures, and a tapered plasma discharge tube. Equations are given for the switching time of a high-reflectance spot on the VO
2
and for the relation of scan laser output power to cavity geometry, cavity losses, and the gain of the active CO
2
medium. A scan capability of
2.1 \times 10^{3}
easily resolvable directions was demonstrated, and sequential and randomly addressed spot rates of 10
⁵
/s were achieved. The equations relating output power and cavity mode size were experimentally verified using a nonscanned beam.