High-power electron-beam-controlled CO2 laser system for laser fusion research

A high-power CO₂ laser system was constructed: its output energy was 200 J in the form of a single nanaosecond pulse. Many problems related to high-power generation were investigated, including generation of short pulses, simultaneous emission of two lines, efficient pumping conditions, high-energy extraction, and isolation between amplifiers to suppress parasitic oscillation. The damage threshold power was determined for the optical elements so as to establish the reliability of the system.