THRESHOLD EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL MIXTURES IN THE HCN LASER,

Abstract

The discovery of the HCN laser has given scientists, for the first time, an inexpensive coherent source in the submillimeter region of the spectrum. Experiments are described there various chemicals were added to the basic laser fuel, CH3CN (acetonitrile), in the HCN laser. Laser output power at 337 milimiters wavelength and current threshold, (minimum current necessary for oscillation) were monitored. Results include increased power and efficiency with the addition of CO2 or O2 to the discharge. Experiments also include the characterization of the HCN laser output over a wide range of pumping speeds. Increased pump speed resulted in increased power; however, power saturation occurred at higher pumping speeds. From these results one can obtain insight into the basic mechanism of the HCN laser and develop possible means for improvement. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0713562

Entities

People

  • Charles S. Brand
  • George E. Morris
  • Harold Jacobs
  • Thomas R. Mooney

Organizations

  • United States Army Communications-Electronics Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acetonitrile
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Efficiency
  • Nitriles
  • Oscillation
  • Saturation
  • Scientists
  • Spectra
  • Threshold Effects

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers