Q-switched CO2laser

Experimental studies of a rotating-mirror
Q
-switched CO
2
laser have been undertaken to obtain high peak powers at 10.6-μ wavelength. The
Q
-switched pulse has a temporal structure consisting of two intensity peaks and is similar to the temporal behavior of a slow
Q
-switched CO
2
laser. Based on the gas pressure dependence it appears that the pulse structure and duration are influenced by collision-induced relaxations of the laser medium. Using an oscillator-amplifier system peak powers of 120 kW with pulsewidths of 200 ns have been obtained.