Optically pumped pulse-periodic CF4 laser

Some design features and the parameters of the latest model of a pulse-periodic CF₄ laser are reported. The working substance is circulated along a two-loop system and the temperature of an optical cell is stabilised automatically. The pumping is provided by a pulse-periodic TEA CO₂ laser with an energy of 5.5 J per pulse in the form of the 9R12 line narrowed down to ~100 MHz by external injection of radiation from a low-pressure cw CO₂ laser. The maximum radiation energy carried by a single CF₄ laser pulse is 250 mJ and the average power at a pulse repetition frequency of 50 Hz is up to 6 W.