A Pulsed Nitrogen Laser for Optical Plasma Diagnostics

Abstract

A nitrogen laser oscillator-amplifier system has been constructed for use as a fast pulsed light source for schlieren, shadowgraph, Moire Schlieren, or interferometric diagnostics of pulsed plasmas. It utilizes an atmospheric pressure nitrogen laser as an oscillator and a low pressure transverse discharge as an amplifier. The output beam has a rectangular cross section with dimensions 5mm x 15mm, a pulse length of about 1 nsec, and is of sufficient optical quality that it may be used for interferometry. The beam energy is about 1 mJoule per pulse.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242122

Entities

People

  • Alan W. Desilva
  • John D. Sethian

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Barometric Pressure
  • Charged Particles
  • Circuits
  • Electronic Components
  • Electrons
  • Focal Planes
  • Interferometers
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Components
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Light Sources
  • Military Research
  • Nitrogen Lasers
  • Physics
  • Plasma Diagnostics
  • Spark Gaps

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers