High power infrared super-Gaussian beams: generation, propagation and application

Abstract

In this paper researchers present the design of a CO2 laser resonator that produces as the stable transverse mode a super–Gaussian laser beam. The resonator makes use of an intra–cavity diffractive mirror and a flat output coupler, generating the desired intensity profile at the output coupler with a flat wavefront. Researchers consider the modal build–up in such a resonator and show that such a resonator mode has the ability to extract more energy from the cavity that a standard cavity single mode beam (for exampe Gaussian mode cavity). It demonstrates the design experimentally on a high average power TEA CO2 laser for paint stripping applications.