Rapidly tunable CO2 TEA laser

Rapid and accurate random access tuning over 70 CO2 TEA laser lines is reported. A continuously rotating grating and a wavelength selection linked to the exact firing time of the laser were used. The grating was driven by a synchronous motor at 1000 rpm, with the TEA laser triggered by each facet of the grating structure. An angle encoder measured the angle of the grating and tripped the TEA laser, while time delay electronics permitted laser build-up time at precise grating angles. A new line could be selected at a laser repetition rate of 100 Hz, i.e. 10 msec tuning time between lines. Experimental results for fast tuning of the 9 and 10 micron branches of the CO2 transitions are presented. Pulse jitter was negligible, while pulse amplitude was typical of TEA lasers. Tuning intervals of 1 msec are indicated.