Optically pumped continuous wave CF4 laser

The absorption analysis is introduced with an experimental set-up of the CO2 pump laser and the CF4 laser. Special attention is paid to the frequency stabilization scheme of CO2 laser and the description system. Attention is also focused on the continuous wave output of the CF4 laser. The directional dependence of the gain, and thus of the emitted power is described. It was found that more radiation is emitted in the direction co-propagating than counter-propagating with the pump laser, known as 'gain anisotropy'. This work performs a quantitative study of pump threshold 'gain anisotropy' confirming theoretical predictions, by a study of pump threshold powers. An experimental study of the output of the continuous wave CF4 laser as a function of pressure and temperature is given. The frequency of the pump laser was stabilized using an opto-acoustic cell. Experiments with a resonance enhanced low pressure opto-acoustic cell is introduced. The experimental results were compared with the predictions of a model, which incorporates a description of the cell geometry and the properties of the active gas in the cell. Corrections were made to describe the low pressure behaviour of the cell. (A.S.). 113 refs.; 42 figs.; 12 tabs