Gas laser with a phase anisotropy of reflection controlled by frustration of total internal reflection

Theoretical and experimental studies were made of the feasibility of controlling the mode spectrum of a gas laser with a phase anisotropy of reflection. It was found that when total internal reflection was replaced by external reflection from the boundary with a strongly absorbing medium, an effective change in the phase anisotropy occurred. This may be used for wide-range control of the laser radiation spectrum and highly sensitive measurements of spatial displacements of the surfaces.