Influence of mirrors’ misalignment on output characteristics of waveguide gas-discharge lasers

The influence of waveguide resonator mirrors’ misalignment on the output characteristics of waveguide gas-discharge lasers is studied. The waveguide lasers of cylindrical and rectangular section, the feedback in which is carried out by means of flat or spherical mirrors, are considered. The misalignment of mirrors is caused by the influence of external factors (pressure, temperature, vibrations). The calculation model allowing, with sufficient accuracy for practice, establishment of output power dependence from the angle of misaligned mirrors is offered. Approximate analytical calculation is based on the replacement of the real waveguide mode with the suitable Gaussian beam. The obtained data on correlatons help to substantiate demands made to holders of optics in cases when external conditions are changed. Thus, a practical task of finding critical angles of misalignment is solved. It will help to avoid critical changes in the output power of radiation lasers.