Efficient flashlamp-pumped IBr laser

The operating characteristics and scaling parameters of a flashlamp-pumped, 4-m-long IBr laser were investigated to further evaluate its potential as a solar-pumped laser. A peak power of 3 kW/sq cm at 2.7 microns was achieved at 4-Torr IBr pressure. A gain of 0.07 per m was measured at a maximum ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 1985-02, Vol.57 (3), p.760-763
Main Authors: Zapata, L. E., De Young, R. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemical lasers
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Lasers
Lasers And Masers
Optics
Physics
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Summary:The operating characteristics and scaling parameters of a flashlamp-pumped, 4-m-long IBr laser were investigated to further evaluate its potential as a solar-pumped laser. A peak power of 3 kW/sq cm at 2.7 microns was achieved at 4-Torr IBr pressure. A gain of 0.07 per m was measured at a maximum capacitor discharge energy of 4 kJ. The threshold input power necessary for lasing was found to decrease by a factor of 4 and the laser pulse width increased fourfold as the active gain length was increased from 1 to 4 m. A maximum pulse width of 120 microseconds was achieved with 10-Torr argon diluent added to 4-Torr IBr. Quenching of the excited state by the parent molecule was shown to be unimportant for pressures less than 4-Torr IBr. An intrinsic efficiency in the range of 12 percent has been measured for flashlamp-pumped IBr.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.334723