A high‐power CO2 waveguide laser

A CO2 waveguide laser from which 39.5 W (51 W/m) has been obtained is described. These values are greater than any previously reported. Data on the temperature dependence of the output power are presented and discussed. An analysis was performed from which the small‐signal gain (0.22 cm−1) and saturation power (35 W) at conditions of maximum power output were obtained. It is shown that the assumption of distributed loss gives a better fit to the observed laser output than does that of concentrated loss at the mirrors.