An EMQ-switched CO/sub 2/ laser as a pump source for a far-infrared laser with a high peak power and a high repetition rate

A modified current pulsed Q (EMQ)-switched CO/sub 2/ laser which is Q-switched by a mechanical beam chopper in combination with a pulsed discharge current is discussed. The laser produces a very stable output with a peak power greater than 1 kW at a repetition rate of 1000 p.p.s. for all transitions in the P and R branches of the CO/sub 2/ spectrum. A CH/sub 3/F laser pumped by the EMQ-switched laser produces 496 mu m radiation in a 6.5 W peak, 100 ns pulses at 500 p.p.s. in the lowest loss EH/sub 11/ mode.<
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