Influence of the reflection of the output signal on the stability of the frequency and power of a carbon dioxide laser

The results are given of calculations and an experimental investigation of the influence of the reflection of the output on the frequency and power of a single-frequency carbon dioxide laser. It is shown that, in the case of weak reflection, the dependences of the frequency and power on the distance from a reflecting object are sinusoidal and the maximum change in the frequency is proportional to the amplitude reflection coefficient of this object. In the case of strong reflection, the frequency exhibits a hysteresis and this results in hopping of the emission frequency from one branch of the frequency curve to another. The power may be modulated by 100% under these conditions.