An Absolute Method of Measuring Energy Outputs from CO2 Lasers.

Abstract

In the energy meter described here the CO2 laser radiation is almost completely absorbed by an Al2O3 surface on an aluminum plate. The high absorbtion of the surface (greater than 95%) eliminates the need for calibration and the laser energy is computed by measuring the temperature rise of a plate with known thermal capacity. Experimentally we find that the calorimeter noise level corresponds to an energy density of about 2 mJoules/sq cm. Calculations indicate that the instrument is capable of measuring the energy of a single pulse that is 1 nsec wide, provided the pulse contains an average energy density of 10 mJoules/sq cm. We have estimated the radiation and convection losses and found them to be negligible. The calorimeter is good for radiation between 8.5 and 11 microns; however, with modifications the bandwidth could easily be increased. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0911195

Entities

People

  • D. B. Northam
  • E. R. Pugh
  • J. D. Daugherty
  • J. H. Jacob

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Bandwidth
  • Calibration
  • Calorimeters
  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Convection
  • Electricity Meters
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Heat Capacity
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers