4B5 - Progress and applications of Q-switching techniques using molecular gas lasers

The characteristics of a
Q
-switched CO
2
-N
2
-He molecular laser are considered. In particular, it has been found that a 3-W continuous system gives a
Q
-switch output power in excess of 10 kW per pulse. A method for determining rotational collision cross sections for CO
2
is discussed, and an induced fluorescence technique is described which is capable of giving cross sections for vibrational relaxation in CO
2
. The importance of various collisional coupling mechanisms and relaxation rates in determining total CW and
Q
-switch output power is also considered.