10-μm propagation losses in hollow dielectric waveguides

Abstract

Experiments are described and results presented of measurements of the propagation losses of 10-μm radiation in hollow dielectric tubes of the type commonly used in the fabrication of waveguide CO2 lasers. The dependence of such losses on the waveguide diameter and material were investiated and are compared with values calculated from theory. The attenuation coefficient of the fundamental hybrid EH11 mode is seen to vary inversely as the diameter cubed and to be very sensitive to tube camber and to the presence of impurities adhering to the wall surface.