The cross‐sectional variation of the energy density in a waveguide gas laser results in a transversely varying saturation if the molecules are stationary. At a transversely constant excitation of the upper laser level, the varying saturation reduces the efficiency and power output compared to the case when rapid molecular movements make the saturation constant. Near threshold, the reduction factor is approximately 2. The cross‐sectional saturation has, however, little influence on the optimization of the output coupling.
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