Laser Design Concept.
Abstract
Results are presented of a design concept study on a specific embodiment of a high-energy, shortpulse laser system employing frustrated total internal reflection isolators. A practical module was designed which can be constructed as a design model for a full-scale system. The parameters of a full-scale system are delineated. Neodymium-doped glass was chosen as the basic laser material for the following reasons: It is economically highly desirable compared to ruby since the cost of glass per pound is several orders of magnitude less than that of ruby. More energy storage can be achieved per unit length for a given gain than with ruby due to the greater line width of this glass. This directly translates into the required volume of laser material needed. More efficient pumping is possible with neodymium-doped glass for a given energy storage, since it is a four-energy-level system and inversion is measured against the highly depopulated intermediate energy level. The glass can be made optically more homogeneous and optically more uniform than a crystalline structure. This characteristic is badly needed to achieve the required minimum angular spread. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0329697
Entities
People
- B. Clay
- D.j. Parker