Compact CO2 Laser Design and Analysis

Abstract

CO2 lasers, among the most efficient and powerful of all lasers, have many applications in industrial and medical fields. Unfortunately, their typical bulky size and fragility tend to limit their use in austere military environments. The purpose of this thesis is to present and analyze a new optical cavity design that can possibly fill the need for a compact, high power, ruggedly packaged infrared laser. Such a system could be used for targeting, communications, or field medical use. The analysis involves entering design parameters into a commercial software program and simulating the behavior of a collimated laser beam within. While results identify significant optical aberration flaws, the extensive design revision needed does not preclude eventual construction.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA366858

Entities

People

  • Erik H. Martin

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Frequency Bands
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Mediums
  • Laser Resonators
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Masers
  • Optics
  • Optomechanics
  • Radio Frequency
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Standing Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy