Mode-Locking a Longitudinally Pumped Low Pressure Atomic Iodine Laser
Abstract
This paper describes the process leading up to and including the mode locking of a gain switched, photolytic iodine laser of low pressures < 30 Torr. First, prior to mode locking, the laser is characterized via output energy, pulse shape cavity buildup time and transverse and longitudinal mode structures. Second, the gain on the strongest transition line is measured two ways: directly with a narrowed source of tunable 1.3 mm coherent light from a solid state diode laser; and indirectly using energy absorption arguments and gain probe dimensions. Finally, the laser is mode locked through active intracavity modulation with an acousto-optic modulator. Experimental data of minimum pulse width versus pressure are analyzed in detail
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA282363
Entities
People
- Kenneth S. Gurley
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology