Active frequency stabilization of a 20-watt CO2laser with etalon wavelength selection

摘要

An active laser frequency stabilization scheme involving the use of an internally vibrated laser mirror has been successfully used to stabilize the output of a two-meter long, sealed-off CO2laser operating at powers greater than 20 watts. Long-term frequency variations in the laser were reduced from a free-running stability of about 4 parts in 107to a peak variation of 1 part in 108by this electronic technique. Heterodyne beat frequency measurements were used to obtain the data. The laser short-term stability was improved by hermetically sealing the region between the GaAs Brewster windows and the laser mirrors.