Formation of a beam with a uniform intensity distribution in a CO2 laser with a generalised confocal cavity

A description is given of a method of forming, in a composite confocal cavity, non-Gaussian light beams with a uniform intensity distribution. The method is based on the use of a reflector with discretely distributed absorbing or scattering inhomogeneities. Theoretical and experimental confirmations are reported of the generation of such beams at the output of a CO₂ laser with a nonuniform amplitude-stepped mirror.