High-power subnanosecond pulses from an injection mode-locked multiatmosphere CO2 oscillator

Abstract
A dye laser controlled semiconductor reflection switch has been used to gate subnanosecond pulses of 10.6‐μm radiation from the output of a ∼1‐W cw CO2 laser. Upon injection into a multiatmosphere CO2 oscillator, high‐power mode‐locked pulses having a duration ≲200 ps and a peak single pulse energy ≳10 mJ were obtained. Synchronization of individual mode‐locked dye laser and CO2 pulses has also been demonstrated.