Powerful Nanosecond Pulses by Stable Passive Mode-Locking of TEA CO2 Lasers

Passive mode-locking of a double-discharge TEA CO2 laser using SF6 as bleachable absorber has been achieved on several rot–vib transitions of the 00°1–10°0 band. Stable pulses shorter than 2 ns and having peak powers in the 100–200 MW range have been regularly obtained. The experimental conditions and operating characteristics of the laser required to achieve stability are described.