Laser cavity dumping using an antiresonant ring

A new method for laser cavity dumping using an antiresonant ring laser cavity and an electrooptic phase modulator has been demonstrated on a CO
2
laser at 10.6 μm. Experimental results are summarized and the cavity and modulator design considerations for this type of cavity dumping are reviewed in this paper. Although the initial experiments were done at 10.6 μm, the antiresonant ring technique may be particularly advantageous for high-power lasers such as ruby and Nd:glass in the visible and near IR. A modified form of the antiresonant ring for accomplishing extremely fast phase switching is also proposed.