Moderate-pressure electric-discharge CO laser

A moderate-pressure (5–12 kPa) water-cooled waveguide CO laser is described in which cw lasing at a power level of 0.4 W was achieved. Experimental data on the gain, power, and saturation parameter are given and discussed for the first time in the literature. It is shown that for a moderate-pressure CO laser the values of the gain (0.02 cm^–1) and saturation parameter (7 kW/cm²) exceed considerably those for a low-pressure CO laser, and are of the same order as those for a waveguide CO₂ laser.