CO2 LASER RADIATION ABSORPTION IN SEMI-INSULATING GALLIUM ARSENIDE

Abstract

In conjunction with studies relating to high‐power CO₂ laser windows the linear absorption coefficient α of Cr‐doped GaAs was measured by means of calorimetric techniques. It was found that α ≈ 0.02 cm⁻¹, at room temperature. This result is shown to be consistent with theoretical considerations: At 10.6 μ, the lattice absorption of GaAs stems from the existence of a fourth‐order electric moment and does not involve the fundamental resonance.