Submillimeter Laser and Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy Using Metallic Mesh.

Abstract

An optically pumped submillimeter laser has been designed and the laser resonator constructed. The objective was to produce a laser which could accommodate a wide range of waveguides and output coupling forms, yet still retain consistent performance over the whole range from 40 micrometers to 1.2 mm. The performance expected was a large number of emission lines over the described range with output powers in excess of 1 mW. Experience from other submillimeter laser systems used led to the choice of a 25 mm I/D dielectric waveguide with a 5 mm diameter pinhole type output coupler as the basis of the optical resonator. A novel mirror translator system, in the form of a 'wobble stick', has been designed and successfully operated in the laser. Such power levels as described were ahcieved using the CO2 pump laser described in the 1st Annual Technical Report. A two element Low Pass Blocking Filter which was designed and constructed for use in conjunction with the submillimeter laser has been successfully applied to help identify the 170.6 micrometers emission line from CH3OH pumped with 9P36 CO2 transition. The more powerful 118.8 micrometer emission line was effectively blocked, although still lasing, since the filter was external to the laser cavity.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA093507

Entities

People

  • Brenton Davis
  • C. R. Pidgeon

Organizations

  • Heriot-Watt University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ball Bearings
  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Couplings
  • Dielectric Waveguides
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Gases
  • Laser Resonators
  • Lasers
  • Optomechanics
  • Power Levels
  • Pumping
  • Pumps
  • Quantum Efficiency
  • Radiation
  • Resonators
  • Vacuum
  • Waveguides

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers