Scalable microplasma array for argon metastable lasing medium

Abstract

Optically pumped rare gas laser systems require a lasing medium of high density metastable atoms. A scalable two-dimensional array of quarter-wave resonators produces high microwave electric fields suitable for generating a dense gas of argon 1s5 states. This resonator array is immersed within an evacuated waveguide in order to create a volume of plasma in a relatively wide discharge gap (13 mm) at argon-helium pressures up to 100 Torr using 30 W of continuous microwave power at 2.3 GHz. Spatial density profiles of argon 1s5 states are measured using diode laser absorption spectroscopy with 0.5 mm resolution. The region of argon 1s5 states is mapped in the discharge and shown to have an estimated density in excess of 1×1018m−3 within a volume of 11.6×3.2×0.8mm3.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Oct 22, 2019
Source ID
10.1063/1.5119511

Entities

People

  • Hyunjun Kim
  • Jeffrey A. Hopwood

Organizations

  • Tufts University
  • United States Army

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers