Gain measurements in e-beam controlled CO2 laser amplifiers: a new method

A new method for measuring gain in a CO2 pulsed electron-beam controlled laser amplifier has been demonstrated. The method is based on the idea to use the amplifier discharge tube for a short transverse pilot oscillator and to measure the gain of the laser medium from the oscillator output. One of the advantages of this method is that no synchronization is necessary between the probe light beam and the onset of discharge in the laser chamber. The measurement is not affected by the unreliability of electrical pumping since oscillation of the pilot laser assures a constant inversion population value at least in its active volume.