Problems Associated with the Improvement of the Gasdynamic Laser
Abstract
The development of the gasdynamic laser is one of the more important developments of the past decade. This laser, based on early works of Patel and others, obtains population inversion leading to laser action in CO2 - N2 mixtures by rapid expansion of the gases to supersonic speeds. Relatively high powers, 0(60Kw), in continuous wave operation have been achieved by this method, however, at very limited efficiency, 0(1/2 - 1%), based on radiated energy to flow enthalpy. It is the purpose of the current program to investigate methods for increasing this level of efficiency, the ideas of which may find application to other laser systems. The main objective of the program is to use a larger fraction of the total enthalpy of the laser fluid for lasing action in an open cycle system. The most straight-forward way to accomplish this is to efficiently expand the gas, lase, recompress and repeat this process as many times as possible.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 31, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0751499
Entities
People
- Walter H. Christiansen
Organizations
- University of Washington