A Method of Stabilizing the Output of a CO₂ Laser for Use in Submillimeter-Wave Laser

Abstract

A simple and inexpensive technique for stabilizing a CO₂ laser used to optically pump a submillimeter-wave laser is discussed.
The technique utilizes variations in the impedance of the laser discharge tube to produce an output power correction. The correction signal is detected synchronously with a mechanical chopper which is put in the laser cavity. It was possible to stabilize the output power of the laser to within ±0.5%/hour which corresponds to a frequency stability of ±0.5 MHz/hour.