Construction of a photon drag detector for evaluating the performance of a CO2 laser amplifier

In this article, the construction of P-type germanium (Ge) photon drag detector which is used to characterize the gain and output powers of a 10 W CO2 laser and a CO2 laser amplifier is described. Gain and laser amplifier output power versus laser input power measurements collected at 4.7 mbar and 12.0 mbar amplifier tube pressures are discussed. Moreover, measurements relating the CO2 laser output power to the laser tube discharge current are provided at 6.9 mbar and 7.3 mbar tube pressures.