Super-Gaussian output from a CO(2) laser by using a graded-phase mirror resonator.

Two super-Gaussian output resonators of orders 4 and 6 have been designed by using the inverse-propagation method for the calculation of the graded-phase feedback mirrors. The graded-phase mirrors were made by using the diamond cutting technique on a copper substrate. An increase of 40% and 50% of monomode energy extraction has been measured compared with that of a semiconfocal resonator of the same dimension in a TEA CO(2) laser.