Lasing from an electron-beam-excited nonchain HF laser

The lasing parameters of a nonchain chemical HF laser (an active volume of 20 l) excited by a fast electron beam are studied at different energies delivered to the gas. It is shown that the laser operates efficiently when the energy deposited is below 30 J/l. Above specific excitation energies of 60–70 J/l, both the lasing efficiency and the laser output decrease.     

Two-Photon Absorption of Nonchain HF Laser Radiation in Germanium Single Crystals

Some results of experimental and numerical studies on the transmission of a nonchain high-frequency (HF) laser beam through germanium (Ge) single crystals of differing thickness and specific resistance are presented. Based on the experimental data for the HF(DF) lasing spectrum, the coefficient of two-photon absorption in germanium has been estimated as K₂ = 55 ± 10 cm/GW at λ = 2.8 μm. The results are in good agreement with theory. The developed experimental data-processing software has enabled the numerical study of the transmission of a high-power beam with λ = 2.6–3 μm through Ge at any laser-pulse-impact moment. It has been shown that thin germanium coatings can efficiently smoothen the distribution of energy over the beam aperture for high-power laser radiation with λ = 2.6–4 μm.     

高功率重频电化学HF激光器(英文)

研制了高功率、高重频非链式HF激光器,并研究了脉冲模式和重频模式下在SF6的混合气中增加电极边缘电场强度而不使用其它措施即可实现自持体引发放电的可能性,得到了重复频率为20 Hz,脉冲能量为67 J,转换效率为3%的激光输出。     

高功率重频电化学HF激光器(英文)

研制了高功率、高重频非链式HF激光器,并研究了脉冲模式和重频模式下在SF6的混合气中增加电极边缘电场强度而不使用其它措施即可实现自持体引发放电的可能性,得到了重复频率为20 Hz,脉冲能量为67 J,转换效率为3%的激光输出。     

Role of the wall ablation in the operation of a 46.9 nmAr capillary discharge soft x‐ray laser

A capillary discharge pumped soft x‐ray laser operating at 46.9 nm on the 3p–3s transition of the Ne‐like Ar has been realized by pumping the active medium with a relatively slow current pulse (dI/dt ≈ 6 · 10¹¹ A/s). In order to study the role of the ablation in the production of the laser effect, the intensity of the amplified 46.9 nm line has been investigated using the same pumping current pulses in the plastic (polyacetal) and ceramic (Al₂O₃). We showed that the ablation of the capillary walls is unfavorable both for the compression and stability of the plasma and consequently for the soft x‐ray laser production. The amplification and lasing effects are observed only in the ceramic channel. The measurements of the line intensity at 46.9 nm showed the lasing with a gain‐length product of ≈ 9, a laser pulse energy of ≈ 5 μJ, a pulse duration of 1.3 ns and a beam divergence of ≈ 3.5 mrad. In addition, effect of the scaling of the time of lasing with the initial plasma diameter was demonstrated experimentally and compared with a one‐dimensional MHD model.     

Explosive boiling of water induced by the pulsed HF-laser radiation

The surface evaporation and explosive boiling of water induced by the radiation of a nonchain pulsed HF laser are studied using piezoelectric acoustic pressure transducers. The evolution of pressure signals is studied and the relative contributions of thermal (photoacoustic) and evaporation mechanisms to these signals are determined for a wide range of the laser energy densities. A threshold of bulk explosive boiling with respect to laser pulse energy density (W ₀ = 0.23 J/cm²) is determined.     

Initial performance of a CW chemical laser

The performance of a continuous HF chemical laser is presented in this paper. Population inversion was obtained by diffusion of H₂ into a supersonic jet containing F atoms [H₂+F HF(v)+H₁ H=–31.7 kcal/mole]. A peak power of 630 W was obtained with an F atom flow rate of 0.040 mole/sec, and the efficiency of conversion of chemical energy to laser energy was 12%. The performance of a corresponding DF laser is also given. Major laser output is from 2-1 and 1-0 transitions for both lasers. Radiation is at 2.6 to 2.9m and 3.6 to 4.0m for the HF and DF lasers, respectively. The ratio of DF to HF laser power is 0.7 under similar flow conditions.Work conducted under US Air Force Contract F04701-69-C-0066.     

Emission from a sulfur-hexafluoride volume discharge induced by attachment instability

Characteristics of a low-pressure volume discharge in SF₆ are investigated. The discharge with a spherical anode-plane cathode electrode system was induced by attachment instability. It is found that applying a dc voltage (U _ch≤1.3 kV) to the anode in the absence of a confining dielectric wall results in the ignition of a repetitive discharge (f=0.1–120 kHz). The spatial, frequency, and current-voltage characteristics of the volume discharge; plasma emission in the spectral range 200–700 nm; and the waveforms of the discharge voltage, current, and plasma emission are investigated. It is shown that the plasma under study exists in the form of a domain (autosoliton) and that the volume discharge is self-induced because, during attachment instability, the plasma itself acts as a switch enabling repetitive pulsed operation. The results obtained can be applied to studying the physics and technology of electric-discharge chemical HF (DF) lasers based on nonchain reactions and to developing high-aperture low-pressure repetitive Ar-, Kr-, and Xe-fluoride lamps with low-corrosive working media (low-pressure mixtures of Ar, Kr, and Xe with SF₆).     

Modification of spectral characteristics and optogalvanic response in neon hollow cathode under laser excitation

The changes in emission characteristics of a neon hollow cathode discharge by resonant laser excitation of 1s ₅→2p ₂ and 1s ₅→2p ₄ transition have been studied by simultaneously monitoring the optogalvanic effect and the laser induced fluorescence. It has been observed that resonant excitation causes substantial variation in the relative intensities of lines in the emission spectrum of neon discharge.     

Laser on nitrogen-electronegative gas mixtures, pumped by inductive energy storage generator: Experiment and theoretical model

The advantages of inductive energy storage (IES) generators for increasing the pulse energy, power, and duration for nitrogen laser pumped by self-sustained transverse discharge have been experimentally demonstrated. A theoretical model is developed and the operation of IES-pumped laser on nitrogen-electronegative gas mixtures is numerically simulated. It is shown experimentally and theoretically that, adding electronegative gases, one can control the pulse shape of lasing on the C³II _u -B³II _g transition in nitrogen. The increase in the electric field strength in the laser gap in N₂-NF₃ and N₂-SF₆ mixtures produced 337.1-nm laser pulses consisting of two spaced peaks and 40–50-ns pulses close to rectangular. The increase in the laser active volume to 6 l (discharge cross section to 6×10 cm²) in N₂–SF₆ mixtures made it possible to obtain the maximum output energy (Q=110 mJ) and UV power (P _las =6 MW). In N₂-NF₃ mixtures, the laser pulse duration was up to ∼100 ns with an energy up to Q=30 mJ.     

Bistability of a CO2 laser with SF6 intracavity as an absorber: Transient effects

We investigated time-dependent effects related to the bistable operation of a CO₂ laser with an intracavity nonlinear absorber (SF₆). The response of the system to small perturbations was sensitively dependent on the operating laser line [P(12)→P(30)] of the 10.6 μm band. The narrow bistable region forP(12), due to a very narrow hysteresis loop, can be effectively utilized for optical switching, because of its pronounced sensitivity to variations in operational parameters. The maximum admissable beam blocking time (intracavity) for spontaneous return to lasing was measured forP(16), for a range of absorber pressures. This τm is related to the relaxation time of the upper level in the absorber.     

A photolyticallyQ-switched photolytic iodine laser

A novel, repetitively pulsed, photolyticQ-switching scheme has been demonstrated on a 1.315 m (² P _1/2² P _3/2) cw photolytic iodine laser using an intracavity cell containing either IBr or ICl. When the cell is irradiated with a KrF laser (=248 nm), I(² P _3/2) atoms are produced and lasing ceases due to the introduction of loss into the laser cavity. Lasing resumes, however, following recombination of the atoms into the parent molecule. Experimental evidence is presented which indicates that the laser's shut-off time is a function of excimer laser energy and the pressure of buffer gas in the cell.     

Impact broadening and shift rates for the 6p2 3PJ′ → 7s 3P J o transitions of lead induced by collisions with argon and helium

The collisional broadening and shift rate coefficients of the 283.39 nm (6p ^{2 3}P₀ → 7s ³P₁ ^o ), 364.06 nm (6p ^{2 3}P₁ → 7s ³P₁ ^o ), 368.45 nm (6p ^{2 3}P₁ → 7s ³P₀ ^o ) and 405.90 nm (6p ^{2 3}P₂ → 7s ³P₁ ^o ) Pb lines by He and Ar have been measured by fitting the experimental absorption line shapes to theoretical Voigt profiles. The absorption measurements were performed in a resistively heated, Pb loaded oven with an integrated dc noble gas discharge to produce also Pb atoms in the 6p ^{2 3}P¹ and 6p ^{2 3}P² metastable states. The diffusion of the metastable atoms out of the discharge zone into the neutral noble-gas atmosphere enabled the line-shape and shift measurement of the lines involving the metastable states without the influence of the discharge plasma.     

Outlook for parameters of CW copper-vapor lasers

Results of numerical experiments performed for a CW copper-vapor laser are presented. Calculations give an output power of about 15 W and a laser efficiency of the order of 0.1% relative to the discharge power. Strictly specified ranges of the main initial parameters are determined in which CW lasing is possible:p _Cu=0.26–0.69 mm Hg,p _Ne=0.4–1.2 mm Hg,E=40–125 V/cm.     

Experimental study of cw carbon monoxide flame chemical laser of the CS2/O2/CO2 type

The performance of a continuous-wave (cw) CO flame chemical laser (FCL) of the CS₂/O₂/CO₂ type is presented. The laser gives up to 0.7 W cw output power on a number ofP _v (J) lines corresponding to 1110, ..., 76 vibrational bands of CO molecule. The measured values of chemical efficiency based on the reaction O+CSCO^*(v)+S and the specific power are 0.1% and 0.7J/g, respectively. The spectral composition of the CO FCL of the CS₂/O₂/CO₂ type shows lasing in the region from 5.194 to 5.573 m. All experimental measurements are conducted with a nondispersive optical cavity.     

Design considerations and scaling laws for high power convective cooled CW CO2 lasers

Various criteria for designing high power convective cooled CO₂ lasers have been discussed. Considering the saturation intensity, optical damage threshold of the optical resonator components and the small-signal gain, the scaling laws for designing high power CW CO₂ lasers have been established. In transverse flow CO₂ lasers having discharge of square cross-section, the discharge lengthL and its widthW for a specific laser powerP (Watt) and gas flow velocityV (cm/s) can be given byL = 1.4 x 10⁴ p ^1/2 V ^-1 cms andW = 0.04P ^1/2 cms. The optimum transmitivity of the output coupler is found to be almost constant (about 60%), independent of the small signal gain and laser power. In fast axial flow CO₂ lasers the gas flow should be divided into several discharge tubes to maintain the flow velocity within sonic limit. The discharge length in this type of laser does not depend explicitly on the laser power, instead it depends on the input power density in the discharge and the gas flow velocity. Various considerations for ensuring better laser beam quality are also discussed.     

Neodymium concentration dependence of 0.94-, 1.06- and 1.34-μm laser emission and of heating effects under 809- and 885-nm diode laser pumping of Nd:YAG

Laser emission in the 0.94-, 1.06- and 1.34-micron ranges in diluted and concentrated Nd:YAG crystals longitudinally pumped by a 885-nm diode laser on the ⁴ I _9/2→⁴ F _3/2 transition is investigated. Continuous-wave operation at watt level in all these wavelength ranges is demonstrated with a 1.0-at. % Nd:YAG crystal; however, the laser performance is impeded by the low pump absorption efficiency. Improved output power and overall efficiency were obtained with a highly doped 2.5-at. % Nd:YAG crystal: 5.5 W at 1.06 μm and 3.8 W at 1.34 μm with 0.38 and 0.26 efficiencies, respectively. Comparative results with traditional pumping at 809 nm into the highly absorbing ⁴ F _5/2 level are presented, showing the advantage of the direct ⁴ F _3/2 pumping. The influence of the lasing wavelength and of the Nd concentration on the thermal effects induced by the optical pumping in the laser material is discussed. A clear relation between the heat generated in the Nd:YAG crystals in lasing and non-lasing regimes, a function of the Nd doping, is demonstrated. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.60.By; 42.60.Da     

Theoretical performance of an HF chemical CW laser

A quantitative analysis of an HF cw chemical laser is presented that includes the influence of stimulated emission on the reacting medium. The numerically determined solutions encompass one-dimensional fluid mechanics, chemical kinetics, radiative de-excitation, and their mutual interaction. A comprehensive parametric study examines the effects due to changed plenum conditions, mixture ratios and cavity parameters. Best efficiency is obtained when the pumping is by the F + H₂ reaction. Pumping by the chain reaction sequence F + H₂ → HF(υ ≤ 3) + H and H + F₂ → HF(υ ≤ 6) + F results in substantially lower efficiencies due to increased HF-HF vibration-translation deactivation. Detailed discussions are presented of (1) vibration-vibration and vibration-translation energy exchange, (2) chemical efficiency, (3) mechanisms that cause lasing termination, and (4) cavity operation with a selective grating.     

Influence of collisional coupling on the energy extraction from theB,C, andD state in KrF

Collisional coupling between theB, C, andD states of KrF is measured in a discharge pumped KrF laser. Detection of the time resolved populations in the three states via measurement of the side fluorescence in theB→X, C→A, andD→X bands is used to record the collisional relaxation from theC andD state to theB state during laser emission. The experimentally determined limits for the collisional coupling times are τ_B-C≦1 ns and τ_B-D,τ_C-D<20 ns at total pressures of 2 bar. Investigation of theB→X fluorescence band shows that the vibrational manifold of theB state is not thermalized during laser emission. TheV-V,T coupling time is estimated to be τ_V-V,T=4±2 ns. The influence of collisional coupling on energy extraction in the KrF laser is discussed.     

Performance studies of a pulsed HF laser with a sliding discharge plasma cathode

The plasma electrode design concept is applied for the first time to an HF laser. The discharge along the surface of a dielectric (sliding discharge) is used as a plasma cathode for the main laser discharge. The laser operates at atmospheric pressure with a gas mixture of He/SF₆/C₃H₈. Details are presented on the efficiency of energy transfer, the dependence of laser performance on circuit parameters, gas mixture, relative energy loading and time delay between the plasma electrode and main discharges. The F atom production rate is estimated from the linear dependence of the output energy on the electric charge passed through the discharge. Output energies of 600 mJ were obtained at 1.6% efficiency from a small active discharge of 108 cm₃ volume and 38 cm length, while the maximum specific input and output energies were 370 J/1 and 5.7 J/1, respectively. These values compare favourably with those reported in the literature for non-chain-reaction-type gas mixtures at 1 atm pressure and demonstrate that the plasma electrode design is a powerful scheme for developing gas-discharge lasers.