High-power Laser Design Concepts Study and Supplement No. 1
Abstract
The bleaching properties of selected colored glass materials under the influence of high light power densities and design concepts for high power lasers were studied. The use of bleachable filters in high power lasers will solve the problem of controlling laser gain during the pump period. The absorption cross sections at 6943A for several impurity ions in colored glass samples were investigated. The cross sections for copper ions are probably too small for use in bleachable filters for high power lasers. However, the cross sections for cobalt ions are large enough to be marginally acceptable. Design considerations for a 10 kj high power laser are discussed and approximate designs which utilize bleachable filters are given. Aside from gain control, the single most difficult problem to be solved is that of maintaining an undestorted output wavefront and minimum beam divergence under the thermal conditions occurring under high power pulsed operation. The next most difficult problem is that of obtaining efficient optical pumping of the laser medium. This is most efficiently accomplished by using pump sources with very high effective temperatures, such as exploding wires, or dynamic pinches. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0329742
Entities
People
- R.w. Peter
- S.e. Sobottka
Organizations
- Watkins-Johnson Company