CYCLOTRON RESONANCE PUMPING OF GAS LASERS.
Abstract
Experiments employing pure d-c pumping and combined d-c/microwave pumping were performed on argon lasers. The effort was directed toward obtaining a basic understanding of the laser discharge dynamics for the d-c case and its effects on laser output and efficiency. From this basis the study progressed to investigation of the effects of various d-c/microwave pumping combinations on discharge behavior and laser operation. These experiments showed that for low-wall-loss magnetically confined d-c discharges, the gas pressure in the laser tube is greatly reduced by ion-drift pumping towards the cathode and laser action takes place at considerably lower pressure than had hitherto been supposed. In addition for the case of c-w operation this ion pumping causes a considerable pressure gradient along the tube, the pressure dropping from cathode to anode. This means that optimum pressure for laser operation exists only near the anode, the result being a lower laser output. In the first year's work emphasis was placed on the definition of parameters leading to efficient high-power laser operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0800035
Entities
People
- Sheikh Z. Ahmed
- T. Faith