Abstract

A new type of waveguide laser is reported. The waveguide is a single concave metal surface¹ that also doubles as an electrode in a rf-excited gaseous discharge.² Theoretical studies on the modes and frequency characteristics of the laser have been performed, and two carbon dioxide metal waveguide lasers were built to verify the theoretical results. The lasers demonstrated output powers in the 1–2-W range with operating efficiencies comparable with conventional rf-excited CO₂ waveguide lasers operating at this power level.

© 1984 Optical Society of America