Design of an e-beam-controlled 1-kW Ar:Xe laser

Wilhelm Mayerhofer; Mark-Udo Beth

doi:10.1117/12.144683

4 May 1993 Design of an e-beam-controlled 1-kW Ar:Xe laser

Wilhelm Mayerhofer, Mark-Udo Beth

Proceedings Volume 1810, 9th International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.144683
Event: Ninth International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers, 1992, Heraklion, Greece

Abstract

Experimental investigations were carried out with Ar:Xe mixtures at 1 atm and with a wavelength of 1.7 micrometers using an existing CO₂ pulsed laser system without special adaptation. Laser pulse energies E_L <EQ 0.31 J (E_L^* equals 0.3 J/l(DOT)atm) were measured at efficiencies of (eta) <EQ 0.4% for various Ar:Xe mixtures. The electrical pulse energy supplied was E_d <EQ 70 J (E_d^* <EQ 5.83 J/l(DOT)atm) at a pulse duration of t_p equals 10 microsecond(s) . This limitation was a consequence of the mismatch between the electrical discharge modulator (PFN) with its impedance of 2 (Omega) and the plasma impedance of <EQ 0.2 (Omega) . The normalized field strength E/n equals 7.5(DOT)10^-18 Vcm² was determined for a power density of 1.16 kW/cm³. An improvised reduction of the PFN impedance to 0.20 (Omega) led to a c. 70% increase of the specific electrical energy supplied E_d^* and to a c. 35% increase of the laser pulse energy E_L. Typical characteristics such as discharge voltage and current over time, laser pulse power and plasma impedance are presented below. The specific data are given for scaling to a repetitive 1 kW laser design.

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Wilhelm Mayerhofer and Mark-Udo Beth "Design of an e-beam-controlled 1-kW Ar:Xe laser", Proc. SPIE 1810, 9th International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers, (4 May 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.144683

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