EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF SUN-POWERED LASER TRANSMITTER.
Abstract
A program of design and experimentation leading to the delivery of an experimental model of a sun-powered laser transmitter is presented. Analytical work is presented which resulted in the choice of Nd:CaWO4 and Nd:glass as candidates for CW sun-powered operation. The design and fabrication of the transmitter mount, pump optics and laser cavities is described. Cooling techniques developed (primarily oriented toward CaWO4 although generally applicable to any solid laser material operating at room temperature) and the design of the cooling system are detailed. Experimental evaluation of a number of laser configurations of the materials discussed is presented. Appendices are provided which give (1) definition and measurement of loss coefficient ''S'', (2) the derivation of the figure of Merit ''G'' for a 4-level system based on quantities B, the gain coefficient for light in a laser and ''S'', (3) the derivation of the gain coefficient beth, (4) the method of calculation of the power output of a CW laser oscillator, (5) the method used in obtaining thermal conductivity measurements and (6) a description of the original room temperature operation of glass lasers. Finally, recommendations are given for future investigations of sun-powered laser operation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0420983
Entities
People
- G. R. Simpson