Development of a Compact Sealed Beam Plasma Arc Illuminator with an Integral Reflector.
Abstract
The objective was the development of new narrow beam plasma arc illuminators that would be more efficient than present xenon arc illuminators. Higher efficiency was desired in the visible (0.4 to 0.7 micrometers) and near infrared (0.82 to 1.0 micrometers). The development effort accomplished the fabrication of the first sealed beam illuminator using an alkali metal vapor source with a clear sapphire envelope. Furthermore the alkali metal lamps, although presently disappointing in efficiency in the desired bands, appear to have high potential for at least two other applications. First, the infrared spectrum beyond 1 mircometers can be made similar to that of a black body, making the lamp potentially useful as a CW or pulsed point source for countermeasures. Second, the spectrum has peaks in the near infrared that should be useful for pumping Nd:YAG lasers. (Author Modified Abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0756968
Entities
People
- John Richter