Pulsed waveguide CO laser operating at room temperature

A pulsed waveguide CO laser operating at room temperature is described. Experimental results of the laser output power variation with discharge parameters and its spectral distribution are given and discussed. In contrast to other CO lasers the best performance has been obtained without diluent gases. A small amount of oxygen added to the CO laser gas enhances the output energy and prevents carbon deposition at the walls of the waveguide channel. So far a laser pulse energy of 40 J has been obtained at an efficiency of 0.4%. Possible ways to increase the laser output energy are discussed.