Compact Lightweight CO2 Laser for SDIO Application
Abstract
SRL has combined two all-solid-state pulsed power generators based on SCR-commutated nonlinear magnetic pulse compressors with low-pressure, conduction-cooled, C02 laser cavities in a program to produce high repetition rate laser systems without the weight penalty of flow loop cooling. The first C02 system used a transverse discharge, rectangular slab geometry, laser amplifier matched to the 10 Hz, SRL COLD-I solid-state pulser. Visible interferometric probes of the slab geometry laser medium showed the characteristic cylindrical wavefront error expected Of a uniformly heated slab cooled at its walls. Conduction cooling of the 2.4 cm slab was sufficient to dissipate the thermal energy deposited by a single pulse dissipated to below the measurement level within 100 ms (10 Hz). The second C02 system used a longitudinal discharge, cylindrical geometry, laser amplifier combined with the new SSLAM-VIII pulser which produces 72 KV, 30 J pulses at up to 5 KHz. The longitudinal laser output power typically peaked at 50 Hz since the heat load from higher repetition rates could not be dissipated sufficiently rapidly from the 4 cm diameter discharge. Due to an impedance mismatch the maximum single pulse energy in steady state operation was 350 mJ (18 W average power). A circuit to provide proper matching has been designed but has not yet been implemented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA273010
Entities
People
- Jonah Jacob
- Stephen Fulghum