Optical elements of a laser cavity for the production of a beam with axially symmetric polarization

For obtaining laser radiation with the azimuthal and radial types of polari zation, special diffraction elements were used as a totally reflecting mino r of a laser cavity. Their grooves were arranged in the form of diverging r ays or concentric circles. The local polarization selectivity of diffractio n elements was 22%. The output radiation of a technological CO2 laser conta ining a diffraction element with radially arranged grooves was polarized pr edominantly in the radial direction. Its power reached 1.8 kW, and the degr ee of polarization was 50%. The mode composition of the output radiation wa s as follows: 40% of power contained in the fundamental unpolarized mode an d 60% contained in the TEM01* mode. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".