Efficient purely chemical CW laser operation
CW laser operation at 10.6 microns in DF-carbon dioxide and HF-carbon dioxide molecular systems achieved by purely chemical means
Cool, T. A.↗
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Room temperature Dy:YLF laser operation at 4.34 micron
A Dy:YLF laser operating on the 6H11/2 to 6H13/2 transition at 4.34 micron and using a laser pumping scheme is reported. This pumping scheme is necessitated by the short upper-laser-level lifetime and the small effective stimulated-emission cross section. A suitable laser for this application is the Er:YLF laser operating at 1.73 micron. A simple model that approximates Dy:YLF laser performance well is presented. Results on laser performance, including a determination of the slope efficiency and threshold as a function of the output mirror reflectivity and a correlation of the pulse length with the laser output energy, are reported. Overall laser efficiency is found to be limited primarily by the ratio of the pump wavelength to laser output wavelength and the terminated four-level laser operation. Spectroscopic results, including the measurement of the absorption spectra and the lifetimes of both the upper- and lower-laser manifolds, are given.
Barnes, Norman P.↗
Chemical sensing with pulsed QC-DFB lasers operating at 15.6 micrometers
Pulsed thermoelectrically cooled QC-DFB lasers operating at 15.6 micrometers were characterized for spectroscopic gas sensing applications. A new method for wavelength scanning based on repetition rate modulation was developed. A non-wavelength-selective pyroelectric detector was incorporated in the sensor configuration giving the advantage of room-temperature operation and low cost. Absorption lines of CO2 and H2O were observed in ambient air, providing information about the concentration of these species.
NASA Discipline Life Sciences Technologies↗
Sub-kHz Linewidth GaSb Semiconductor Diode Lasers Operating Near 2 Micrometers
We report on the phase noise properties of DFB lasers operating near 2.0 microns. Measured noise spectra indicate intrinsic laser linewidths below 1 kHz. An effective linewidth of less than 200 kHz for 5 ms measurement times is estimated.
single-longitudinal-mode DFB lasers↗
Parametric thermodynamic analysis of closed-cycle gas-laser operation in space
Cycle efficiency and radiator area required were calculated for thermally and electrically pumped lasers operating in closed cycles with a compressor and the required heat exchangers. A thermally pumped laser included within a Brayton cycle was also analyzed. Performance of all components, including the laser, was parametrically varied. For the thermally pumped laser the cycle efficiencies range below 10 percent and are very sensitive to the high-pressure losses associated with the supersonic diffuser required at the laser cavity exit. The efficiencies predicted for the electrically pumped laser cycles range slightly higher, but radiator area also tends to be larger.
Burns, R. K.↗
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.↗
Single mode, short cavity, Pb-salt diode lasers operating in the 5, 10, and 30-microns spectral regions
Pb-salt diode lasers are being used as frequency-tunable infrared sources in high resolution spectroscopy and heterodyne detection applications. Recent advances in short cavity, stripe-geometry laser configurations have led to significant increases in maximum CW operating temperature, single mode operation, and increased single mode tuning range. This paper describes short cavity, stripe geometry lasers operating in the 5, 10, and 30-microns spectral regions, with single mode tuning ranges of over 6/cm.
Linden, K. J.↗
Submillimeter-wave laser operating in a passive Q-switched intracavity pump mode
Pulsed operation of submillimeter gas lasers was achieved with the laser gas inside the resonator of the CO2 pump laser acting as a saturable absorber for passive Q switching the CO2 laser. With a metal-oxyde-metal whisker detector 1-5-microsec-wide pulses could be detected at 118, 373, and 496 micron wavelength.
Koepf, G. A.↗
Thulium YAG laser operation at 2.01 microns
Variable temperature laser experiments were performed with two compositions of Tm:Cr:YAG (5.0:1.0 and 1.5:2.0 percent substitutions), with special attention given to the spectroscopic details of energy transfer and quasi-3 level lasing. Differences in laser threshold and flashlamp degradation were found in lasing the two compositions, and it is suggested that the difference is due to the 1.5:2.0 rod having much less efficient energy transfer than the 5.0:1.0 Tm:Cr crystals. To first order, the thermal occupation factor is found to dominate laser threshold determination at temperatures betwen 120 and 240 K.
Storm, Mark E.↗
An evaluation of SAO sites for laser operations
Operational criteria are provided for the selection of laser tracking sites for the Earth and Ocean Physics Applications Program. A compilation of data is given concerning the effect of weather conditions on laser and Baker-Nunn camera operations. These data have been gathered from the Smithsonian astrophysical observing station sites occupied since the inception of the satellite tracking program. Also given is a brief description of each site, including its characteristic weather conditions, comments on communications and logistics, and a summary of the terms of agreement under which the station is or was operated.
Thorp, J. M.↗
Flashlamp Pumped, Room Temperature, Nd:YAG Laser Operating at 0.946 Micrometers
Room temperature operation of flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG at 0.946 micrometers was achieved with a laser rod having undoped ends. Performance was characterized and compared with 1.064 micrometer operation and other quasi four level lasers.
Barnes, Norman P.↗
Low threshold interband cascade lasers operating above room temperature
Mid-IR type-II interband cascade lasers were demonstrated in pulsed mode at temperatures up to 325 K and in continuous mode up to 200 K. At 80 K, the threshold current density was 8.9 A/cm2 and a cw outpout power of ~140 mW/facet was obtained.
interband cascade lasers GaSb molecular beam epita↗
A shock isolator for diode laser operation on a closed-cycle refrigerator
A device developed to isolate the diode laser from impact shocks delivered during the expansion phase of the Solvay cycle of a helium refrigerator is briefly described. The device uses intermediate cold stations in the stand-off, which permit the stand-off to be short and rigid while minimizing the thermal load at the diode mount.
Jennings, D. F.↗
Tunable diode laser-pumped Tm,Ho:YLF laser operated in continuous-wave and Q-switched modes
Tunable continuous-wave and pulsed laser output was obtained from a Tm-sensitized Ho:YLiF4 crystal at subambient temperatures when longitudinally pumped with a diode laser array. A conversion efficiency of 42 percent and slope efficiency of approximately 60 percent relative to the absorbed pumped power have been achieved at a crystal temperature of 275 K. The emission spectrum was etalon tunable over a range of 16/cm centered at 2067 nm with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at measured rate of -0.03/cm/K. Output energies of 0.22 mJ per pulse and 22 ns pulse duration were recorded at Q-switch frequencies that correspond to an effective upper laser level lifetime of 6 ms, and a pulse energy extraction efficiency of 64 percent.
Mcguckin, B. T.↗
Shock isolator for diode laser operation on a closed-cycle refrigerator
Closed-cycle helium refrigerators are widely used as coolers for semiconductor diode lasers. These refrigerators pose several difficulties including temperature oscillations due to varying refrigerator capacity during the Solvay cycle, and impact shocks delivered to the diode in the cycle's expansion phase. A shock isolator has been designed to isolate diode lasers from such impact shocks. Slow diode current scans have been made before installation of the shock isolator, with the isolator but no thermal damper, and with both devices. With the isolator and no damper, the diode output frequency oscillated at the refrigerator cycle rate, deviating by plus or minus 40 MHz. Using the isolator and the damper no frequency fluctuation was detected.
Jennings, D. E.↗
Magnetic-Field-Assisted Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser Operating up to 225 K
Advances in semiconductor bandgap engineering have resulted in the recent development of the terahertz quantum cascade laser1. These compact optoelectronic devices now operate in the frequency range 1.2-5 THz, although cryogenic cooling is still required2.3. Further progress towards the realization of devices operating at higher temperatures and emitting at longer wavelengths (sub-terahertz quantum cascade lasers) is difficult because it requires maintaining a population inversion between closely spaced electronic sub-bands (1 THz approx. equals 4 meV). Here, we demonstrate a magnetic-field-assisted quantum cascade laser based on the resonant-phonon design. By applying appropriate electrical bias and strong magnetic fields above 16 T, it is possible to achieve laser emission from a single device over a wide range of frequencies (0.68-3.33 THz). Owing to the suppression of inter-landau-level non-radiative scattering, the device shows magnetic field assisted laser action at 1 THz at temperatures up to 215 K, and 3 THz lasing up to 225 K.
Wade, A.↗
Thin top-cladding interband cascade lasers operating at room temperature
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diode lasers↗
Tunable CW diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser operating at or near room temperature
A conversion efficiency of 42% and slope efficiency of 60% relative to absorbed pump power are obtained from a continuous wave diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser at 2 microns with output power of 84 mW at a crystal temperature of 275 K. The emission spectrum is etalon tunable over a range of7 nm (16.3/cm) centered on 2.067 microns with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at a measured rate of -0.03/(cm)K. The effective emission cross-section is measured to be 5 x 10(exp -21) cm squared. These and other aspects of the laser performance are disclosed in the context of calculated atmospheric absorption characteristics in this spectral region and potential use in remote sensing applications. Single frequency output and frequency stabilization are achieved using an intracavity etalon in conjunction with an external reference etalon.
Mcguckin, Brendan T.↗