Gain Measurements and Beam Characteristics of a 100-Watt Argon-Ion Laser.
Abstract
The small-signal gain and beam characteristics of a 100-watt cw argon-ion laser were studied. The laser tube was constructed using a graphite disk design with a 6.35-mm bore and a 100-in. active length. The tube was built in two identical sections that are joined at their respective anodes to minimize window degradation. The maximum small-signal gains for three primary laser lines were measured to be 1.07/m at 488 nm, 0.335/m at 514.5 nm, and 0.305/m at 476.5 nm. The saturation mechanisms for the small-signal gain and output power are discussed. The multitransverse-mode beam divergence for the 488-nm and 514.5-nm lines was measured as 1.1 mrad full angles, which is a factor of two greater than the calculated passive cavity value for the TEM(oo) mode. A strong mode interaction was observed under certain conditions on the frequency spectrum of the 488-nm line. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0733904
Entities
People
- Elliot F. Wyner
- Roland H. Wright Jr.
- Stephen Levy
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command