Generation and detection of 150-psec mode-locked pulses from a multi-atmosphere CO2 laser

Abstract
Mode‐locked operation of a uv‐preionized TE CO2 laser has been investigated at pressures in the 10–15‐atm range. By upconverting the output to 0.96 μm and recording it with a streak camera it has been shown that pulses of duration less than 150 psec can be generated using p‐type Ge saturable absorbers.