Solar Pumped, Alkali Vapor Laser.
Abstract
High power lasers based in space have been considered as sources for power transmission, laser propulsion, materials processing and space defense. The feasibility of such systems is based on the cost per unit power delivered, with detailed studies indicating that light weight has a greater impact on cost than laser efficiency. Solar radiation is a natural source of power for these devices and two methods for conversion of solar radiation to laser radiation can be considered. An indirectly solar pumped laser would first convert the solar radiation to electricity or longer wavelength blackbody radiation which is then used to power the laser. A directly longer wavelength blackbody radiation which is then used to power the laser. A directly pumped solar laser would utilize a portion of te solar spectrum to directly pump the laser medium, eliminating the intervening step and substantially reducing the systems weight and complexity. Detailed comparisons showed a directly pumped laser with an overall efficiency of only 1.5 percent can compete with an indirectly energized solar laser with an overall efficiency of ten percent. With this in mind, a concept for a directly solar pumped laser was developed based on an alkali vapor (sodium) as the laser medium. Keywords: Solar, Laser.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 04, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA187156
Entities
People
- David Ham
- Mark A. Defaccio
Organizations
- Physical Sciences (United States)