High power infrared super-Gaussian beams: generation, propagation, and application

Neil C. du Preez; Andrew Forbes; Lourens R. Botha

doi:10.1117/12.820058

17 April 2009 High power infrared super-Gaussian beams: generation, propagation, and application

Neil C. du Preez, Andrew Forbes, Lourens R. Botha

Proceedings Volume 7131, XVII International Symposium on Gas Flow, Chemical Lasers, and High-Power Lasers; 71311E (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.820058
Event: XVII International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High Power Lasers, 2008, Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract

In this paper we present the design of a CO₂ laser resonator that produces as the stable transverse mode a super-Gaussian laser beam. The resonator makes use of an intra-cavity diffractive mirror and a flat output coupler, generating the desired intensity profile at the output coupler with a flat wavefront. We consider the modal build-up in such a resonator and show that such a resonator mode has the ability to extract more energy from the cavity that a standard cavity single mode beam (e.g., Gaussian mode cavity). We demonstrate the design experimentally on a high average power TEA CO₂ laser for paint stripping applications.

Citation Download Citation

Neil C. du Preez, Andrew Forbes, and Lourens R. Botha "High power infrared super-Gaussian beams: generation, propagation, and application", Proc. SPIE 7131, XVII International Symposium on Gas Flow, Chemical Lasers, and High-Power Lasers, 71311E (17 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.820058

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