• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.337-342
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• 2004

Laser optical power stabilization of a radio frequency excited $CO_2$ slab laser using the opto-Hertzian effect generated from the laser itself is achieved on the peak of the Doppler broadened gain curve. The opto-Hertzian signal was generated by a modulation of the optical flux circulating inside the laser cavity from a variation in the cavity length caused by the vibrations of the PZT. The opto-Hertzian signal is directly coupled from a RE discharge chamber via a loop antenna into a detector and applied to a lock-in stabilizer as an reference signal. The power stability of an RF excited slab laser is estimated to be better then 0.2%.