K-Rb Laser Pump Lamp

Abstract

A program was conducted to continue development of a potassium- rubidium arclamp for laser pumping. Significant progress was made. Improved lamp bake-out, improved filling procedures and incorporation of an internal uranium getter prevented attack of the polished sapphire lamp envelope by the potassium vapor. A new, single envelope, air compatible lamp with nickel endcaps and novel brazed endseals was successfully tested. Dramatic improvement in laser pumping efficiency was achieved by substituting xenon starting gas for argon. Difficulties were encountered in fabricating an alternative lamp with double endcaps (protected end seals). This prompted a development effort to improve joining technology for this lamp. Encouraging results were obtained with a fused silicide oxidation protective coating for niobium endcap lamps. The best life test result on nickel endcap lamps was 85 operating cycles and 464 hours. Work is continuing on a subsequent contract.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADB009019

Entities

People

  • Norman C. Anderson

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Emissions
  • Alkali Metals
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Vapor Deposition
  • Chemistry
  • Coatings
  • Crystal Lattices
  • Crystal Structure
  • Fabrication
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Protective Coatings
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Thermal Conductivity

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers