Proof of the Feasibility of Coherent and Incoherent Schemes for Pumping a Gamma-Ray Laser
Abstract
Recent approaches to the problem of the gamma-ray laser have focused upon upconversion techniques in which metastable nuclei are pumped with long wavelength radiation. At the nuclear level the storage of energy can approach tera-Joules (1012J) per liter for thousands of years. However, any plan to use such a resource for a gamm-ray laser poses problems of a broad interdisciplinary nature requiring the fusion of concepts taken from relatively unrelated fields of physics. Since 1978 we have pursued an approach for the upconversion of longer wavelength radiation incident upon isomeric nuclear populations that can avoid many of the difficulties encountered with traditional concepts of single of single photon pumping. Recent experiments have confirmed the general feasibility and have indicated that a gamma-ray laser is feasibility and have indicated that a levels and branching ratios exist in some real material. A laser-grade database of nuclear properties does not yet exist, but the techniques for constructing one have been developed under this contract and are now being utilized.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA205371
Entities
People
- Carl B. Collins
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas