Transverse mode propagation and gain coefficients in a planar waveguide CO₂ laser amplifier

The transverse mode propagation and amplification characteristics of a large electrode area, planar waveguide carbon dioxide laser amplifier have been investigated. Amplification of an imperfectly mode-matched input produces varying output beam quality with changing discharge conditions, through the modification of the propagation constants of the waveguide modes by the gas thermal lens. For improved mode-matching to the amplifier, a near ideal TE₁ output is obtained without discharge-induced variations. The maximum gain coefficient for propagation in the fundamental mode is shown to be dependent on the radio frequency discharge conditions through the frequency dependence of the minimum stable power density. At 81 MHz, a gain coefficient of 0.65 m^-1 at 50-torr pressure is obtained.