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At least 145 records · Page 8

Acousto-optic filter for electronic laser tuning

Electronically tunable lithium niobate filter utilizes acoustic-optic diffraction for tuning laser to desired frequencies. Filter placed inside laser cavity diffracts incident optical signal of one polarization into orthogonal polarization by collinearly propagating acoustic beam to desired wavelength.

Harris, S. E.↗

Amplified laser absorption - Detection of nitric oxide.

Experimental results are reported for the power loss of a carbon monoxide gas laser due to the absorption of small amounts of nitric oxide placed in an intra-laser-cavity absorption cell. It was found, for the particular experimental conditions employed, that the absorption coefficient of nitric oxide at 1900.04/cm is enhanced more than two orders of magnitude when it is in the intracavity cell. Finally, the experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations.

Chackerian, C., Jr.↗

Quantum theory of an optical maser. VI - Transient behavior.

The transient behavior of a laser is discussed using the quantum theory as did Scully and Lamb. The formal solution of the density-matrix equation is expressed in terms of exponentially decaying eigenmodes. Some of the lower decay constants are obtained numerically. The equations for the moments of the density matrix are then derived and solved by a truncation method. The equations of motion are integrated numerically for the case where the average number of photons in a laser cavity has the realistically large value 1.3 x 100,000. An alternative Fokker-Planck-equation approach is discussed.

Wang, Y. K.↗

Dually-mode-locked ND: YAG laser

Mode-locking is stabilized effectively by conventional loss-modulator and phase-modulator, mode-locking elements placed in laser cavity in optical series with one another. Resulting dually-mode-locked system provides pulses with constant phase relative to mode-lock drive signal without presence of relaxation oscillation noise.

Osmundson, J.↗

Measurements of small signal absorption at high temperature for the 001-100 band of CO2

In the experiments an absorption cell was irradiated by a polarized CW CO2-N2-He laser. By changing the length of the laser cavity, it was possible to obtain stable oscillations on the five lines P12 through P20 in the 10.4-micron band. The power output was slightly under 10 W. Intensity measurements of the incident and the transmitted beam were conducted when the cell was filled with a nonabsorbing calibrating gas (nitrogen) and with the test gas (carbon dioxide). Data for the absorption coefficient in the temperature range from 300 K to about 600 K are presented in graphs.

Leonard, R. L.↗

Length controlled stabilized mode-lock ND:YAG laser

A method and apparatus for stabilizing the amplitude and repetition rate of mode-locked Nd:YAG laser pulses by controlling the laser length through a feedback loop are described. The end mirror of the laser is mounted on a piezoelectric crystal which is dithered at a low frequency. A portion of fundamental 1.06 micrometer laser radiation is converted into its second harmonic frequency, and the average power of the second harmonic frequency is detected by an integrating detector. The amount of the power of the second harmonic frequency depends on the match between the optical length of the laser cavity and the mode-lock frequency. The length is controlled by a feedback loop which phase compares the output of the second harmonic detector to the piezoelectric crystal dither signal.

Sigfred, J.↗

Laser operation by dissociation of metal complexes. II - New transitions in Cd, Fe, Ni, Se, Sn, Te, V, and Zn

The reported investigation is a continuation of a study conducted by Chou and Cool (1976). The experimental results discussed are partly related to laser transitions in Cd(I), Cd(II), and Zn(II). Laser transitions in Fe(I), Ni(I), Sn(I), Te(I), and V(I) are also considered along with the observation of a laser pulse with two peaks in connection with the study of laser transitions in Se(I). Experiments related to prospective visible laser operation in thallium at 6550 and 6714 are also discussed, giving attention to spontaneous emission measurements at 6550 and 5350 A, the effects of additive molecules, and laser cavity experiments at 6550 and 6714 A.

Chou, M. S.↗

CW nuclear pumped lasing of 3He-Ne

The results of a study on the CW nuclear pumped lasing of the He-Ne system are presented. Preliminary experiments measured single pass gain for the 6328.2A laser transition at neutron fluxes up to 1 x 10 to the 14th power neutrons/sq cm sec. Peak gain for a 300 torr (He-3)-Ne (5:1 mixture) was found to be 8.84 dB/meter at a 2 x 10 to the 12th power neutrons/sq cm sec neutron flux. Further experiments measured the gain in the flux region from one million to 2 x 10 to the 12th power neutrons/sq cm sec. In addition, gain vs. probe laser intensity at various neutron fluxes was measured. These measurements resulted in the construction of a laser cavity and the subsequent CW nuclear pumped lasing at 6328.2A in (He-3)-Ne. Experiments were also carried out on the 3.39 micrometer superradiant line in (He-3)-Ne. On three separate occasions, at two different facilities, lasing was observed. Although (He-3)-Ne was found to have the lowest threshold for lasing found so far, it also had the lowest output power on the order of tens of microwatts.

Carter, B. D.↗

Analysis of a 10 megawatt space-based solar-pumped neodymium laser system

A ten megawatt solar-pumped continuous liquid laser system for space applications is examined. It is found that a single inflatable mirror of 434 m diameter used in conjunction with a conical secondary concentrator is sufficient to side pump a liquid neodymium lasant in an annular tube of 6 m length and 1 m outer and 0.8 m inner diameter. About one fourth of intercepted radiation converging on the laser tube is absorbed and one fifth of this radiation is effective in populating the upper levels. The liquid lasant is flowed through the annular laser cavity at 1.9 m/s and is cooled via a heat exchanger and a large radiator surface comparable in size to the concentrating mirror. The power density of incident light within the lasant of approximately 68 watt/cu cm required for cw operation is exceeded in the present annular configuration. Total system weight corresponds to 20,500 kg and is thus capable of being transported to near Earth orbit by a single shuttle flight.

Kurweg, U. H.↗

Long gain length solar pumped box laser

A solar pumped laser has its lasing path lengthened by forming a square loop in the lasing path by means of bending mirrors. Solar radiation is collected and concentrated into a donut shaped intensity pattern. This intensity pattern is directed onto the lasing path such that there is a maximum fit of the solar intensity pattern to the square loop laser cavity.

Deyoung, R. J.↗

Scaling studies of blackbody pumped lasers

The scaling of blackbody pumped lasers to large powers is being studied. The computational results show the possibility of high pressure transverse flow blackbody pumped lasers. A nonsteady technique with metal shims heated rapidly to 1500 K as the blackbody pumping source is being used to carry out the experiment. Fast temperature rise of the shims creates pressure waves inside the laser cavity which destroy the resonance of the cavity. A new design with rectangular quartz tubing inside the cavity to prevent the waves from reaching the lasing region is under construction.

Chang, Jim↗

Laser performance, thermal focusing and depolarization effects in Nd:Cr:GSGG and Nd:YAG

The laser performance of Nd:Cr:GSGG and Nd:YAG was investigated and compared for laser efficiency, thermal focusing, and depolarization effects. Laser efficiency was studied for Nd:Cr:GSGG and Nd:YAG under similar conditions. Laser efficiency was measured as a function of electrical energy and output mirror reflectivity. Maximum laser efficiency was calculated by determining the losses in the laser cavity. Thermal focusing and birefringence loss of Nd:Cr:GSGG and Nd:YAG have been examined by varying the average pump power. The average pump power changed by adjusting both the energy per pulse and the pulse-repetition frequency. Substantial thermal focusing differences for Nd:Cr:GSGG are explained.

Williams-Byrd, Julie A.↗

Are Einstein's transition probabilities for spontaneous emission constant in plasmas?

An investigation is conducted with a ruby laser to experimentally confirm the quenching of spontaneous emission coefficients and propose a mechanism for the phenomenon. Results of previous experiments are examined to determine the consistency and validity of interpretations of the spontaneous emissions. For the C IV 3s-3p and 2s-3p transitions, the line-intensity ratios are found to be dependent on the separation of the laser from the target. Density gradients and Stark broadening are proposed to interpret the results in a way that does not invalidate the Einstein A values. The interpretation is extended to C III and N V, both of which demonstrate similar changes in A values in previous experiments. The apparent quenching of Ar II by photon collisions is explained by Rabi oscillations and power broadening in the argon-ion laser cavity. It is concluded that the changes in A values cannot result from dense plasma effects.

Griem, H. R.↗