Diode Laser Pumped Alkali Vapor Lasers with Exciplex-Assisted Absorption
Abstract
Gain and lasing for optically pumped metastable Ne*, Ar* , Kr* and Xe* was demonstrated. Three-level lasing schemes were used, with He as the energy transfer agent that established the population inversion. The excitation source used in these initial studies was a pulsed optical parametric oscillator. The lasers operated at 703.2 (Ne*), 9 12.5 (Ar*), 893.1 (Kr*) and 980.2 nm (Xe*). Peak powers as high as 27kW /cm2 were observed forAr*. Lasing of Ar* was also demonstrated using a 7.5W CW diode laser supplied by the group at UCF. Techniques were developed for spectral narrowing of semiconductor lasers by volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) recorded in photo-thermo-refractive(PTR) glass. This technology provides efficient excitation by radiation of low pressure Rb and Cs vapors from ground states and by low pressure Ar* and Kr* from metastable states. Exposed and developed PTR glass with an absorption of0.0006/cm at 780 run was demonstrated. Spectral widths were below 20 pm. The technology transferred to OptiGrate Corporation which supplies high power pumping system to AFRL.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 14, 2013
- Accession Number
- AD1026398
Entities
People
- Leonid Glebov
- Michael C Heaven
Organizations
- Emory University