Title :
High-pressure infrared xenon laser with X-ray preionization
Author :
Tucker, J.E. ; Wexler, B.L. ; Feldman, B.J. ; McClelland, T.
Author_Institution :
US Naval Res. Lab., Washington, DC, USA
Abstract :
The first experimental results are presented of an X-ray preionized argon-buffered xenon laser. The X-rays are generated by a simple electron-beam device located below the 23-cm inner diameter laser chamber. The advantages of X-ray preionization for high-pressure discharge-pumped lasers include the long X-ray penetration depth, high preionization density, and spatial uniformity. The combination of X-ray preionization and techniques to eliminate surface flashover allows energetic operation in 4 atm of argon buffer for the first time in a photopreionized discharge laser. The argon-xenon mixtures lased primarily at 1.73 mu m and 2.63 mu m with a peak energy of 340 mJ at 4 atm, and a specific energy output of 0.85 J/liter.<>
Keywords :
gas lasers; ionisation of gases; laser transitions; xenon; 1.73 micron; 2.63 micron; 23 cm; 340 mJ; 4 atm; Ar buffered xenon laser; Ar-Xe mixtures; X-ray preionization; energetic operation; high pressure infrared Xe laser; high-pressure discharge-pumped lasers; laser chamber; long X-ray penetration depth; peak energy; preionization density; simple electron-beam device; spatial uniformity; specific energy output; surface flashover; Argon; Cathodes; Electrodes; Gas lasers; Laser excitation; Pump lasers; Ring lasers; Surface resistance; X-ray lasers; Xenon;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
