Abstract
The optical extraction characteristics of homogeneously broadened cw lasers with nonsaturating losses are calculated exactly and compared with previous analytic approximations. The extraction efficiency as a function of the output coupling is discussed in detail for medium parameters appropriate to high-gain rare-gas-halide lasers. It is found that contrary to expectations, the output is comparatively insensitive to the medium parameters and output coupling, and that it is a poor diagnostic tool for laser medium characterization.

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