Liquid Xenon as a Potential Laser Host Medium
Abstract
This report describes preliminary attempts to investigate the feasibility of using liquid xenon as a solvent for novel laser systems. The objective was to see if the wide transparency range and low non radiative relaxation rates of this solvent can be exploited. A novel cell and filling system was successfully constructed. Barium fluoride windows repeatedly failed at a small fraction of their design pressure. They were successfully replaced with sapphire windows, but this severely limited the use of infrared diagnostics. As supplied xenon was found to be contaminated with excessive hydrocarbons (mainly methane) further limiting infrared diagnostics and nullifying the low non-radiative rate advantage of the solvent. Attempts to dissolve Rhodamine 6g and B were unsuccessful; there was limited evidence of p- terphenyl solubility. Overall the program was very seriously restricted by the combined problems of window failure and xenon contamination and the key concepts remain unproven, although methods to overcome these difficulties are identified. Xenon, Liquid lasers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 23, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA285365
Entities
People
- H. N. Rutt
Organizations
- University of Southampton