Influence of thermal nonlinearity on the dynamics of radiation from an electron-beam-controlled CO2 laser with an unstable resonator

An investigation was made of thermal nonlinearity of the lasing process in an atmospheric-pressure electron-beam-controlled CO2 laser having an unstable resonator. Experimental and theoretical results are given of an investigation of the optical quality of the active medium and of the field structure in the near-field and far-field zones during a lasing pulse. Good agreement is obtained between the calculated and experimental data.