New Discharge Pumping Method for CO2 Lasers

Abstract

A new pulsed laser discharge concept is proposed to meet military and civilian requirements for efficient operation of compact, high energy CO2 lasers. This discharge concept promises pulse lengths of up to 100 microseconds duration scalability to multi-kilojoule pulsed energy, high volumetric efficiency (> or = 50 Joules/liter-atm) and high electrical efficiency (> or = 20%). This discharge concept relies on a new method for maintaining discharge stability for long pulse durations. This new CO2 laser discharge concept promises increased efficiency, repetition rate, laser pulse length, extracted energy per unit volume and reliability. The concept utilizes a current source to insure volumetric stability. Such a source will not stabilize the discharge against streamer formation. Streamer formation can be inductively inhibited by the use of RF. Hence an RF current source could result in a more stable laser discharge.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 27, 1987
Accession Number
ADA181656

Entities

People

  • Jonah H. Jacob

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Circuits
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Laser Diodes
  • Lasers
  • Power Supplies
  • Pulsed Power
  • Radiation
  • Radio Frequency Power
  • Resistance

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy