WIDE APERTURE PICOSECOND CO 2 LASER SYSTEM: NEW APPLICATIONS

Analysis of possible approaches for powerful CO2 laser system utilization in experiments on difference frequency gen-eration shows that it is possible to obtain submillimetric radiation of the 1 MW power range. Also approaches to submillimetric half-cycle radiation pulse generation are suggest d. 1. The goal statement. Generation of short submillimetric pulses is important for their applications in time-resolved spectroscopy and laser radia-tion interaction with matter. If to use difference frequency generation (DFG) of pulsed CO2 lasers in a nonlinear crystal then a ZnGeP2 looks as a suitable candidate since this crystal has low absorption in both infrared and submillimetric spectral ranges 1,2. With the aid of ZnGeP2 a pulsed radiation power of 1 Watt was already reached for the first time at the difference frequency of CO2 laser radiation in submillimetric spectral range 1. Observed power values were limited by plasma formation on crystal sur-face and so DFG efficiency did not exceed 5*10-7. Increase of DFG efficiency is actual problem for submillimetric wave range. It can be solved if simultaneously to increase power and to reduce duration of laser pulses. Experimental data on the intensity threshold of infrared laser damage of ZnGeP