An experimental study of the polarization properties of reflection gratings for CO2 lasers

A stabilized tunable CO2 laser has been used to measure the efficiencies of 75, 100, and 150-line/mm gratings as a function of the orientation of the polarization plane of the incident radiation relative to the lines. The measurements have been carried out for an autocollimation grating scheme and other grating arrangements. It is shown that the polarization characteristics of the gratings have a noticeable effect on energy distribution between the diffraction orders and on the polarization characteristics of the diffracted radiation. It is emphasized that for the efficient use of gratings in laser cavities, it is essential that the polarization characteristics of gratings be taken into account.