Super-Gaussian Distribution Produced in CO2 Laser

Physicists from Moscow State University and from the adaptive optics group of the Institute on Laser and Information Technologies at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Shatura have produced specified fourth- and sixth-order super-Gaussian fundamental modes from a continuous-wave CO₂ laser for power output 10 to 12 percent greater than that of a normal Gaussian fundamental mode.

The method, reported in the Nov. 20 issue of Applied Optics, used a water-cooled, bimorph flexible mirror inside the laser's gain cavity to produce a peak intensity value in the far field that is 1.6 times greater than the TEM₀₀ mode. The researchers hope that the method, which with minor alterations could also be applied to a solid-state laser, will lead to development of intelligent, flexible lasers with intensity distributions specified for industrial and manufacturing applications.