USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Joseph A Stregack

Thomas J Manuccia

Bernard L Wexler

A laser system in which acetylene is mixed with a gaseous mixture of helium and carbon monoxide which has been vibrationally excited significantly populating the lower vibrational levels of the CO. The carbon monoxide will transfer its energy to the acetylene, populating the upper (01000) level to create laser radiation near 15.9 microns which may be operated in continuous-wave or pulsed modes. The laser cavity includes mirrors which are highly reflective at 16 microns but transparent to radiation at 8 microns or other well-known means which will operate in the same fashion.

15.9 Micron acetylene laser

An electric discharge gas-dynamic laser (EDGDL) providing laser action in CO.sub.2 at 16 microns between the (02.degree.0) and (01'0) levels as well as between the (10.degree.0) and (01'0) levels at 14 microns. A 9.mu. or 10.mu. saturating pulse equilibrates the (001) level with either the (02.degree.0) or (10.degree.0) level and creates the 14.mu. or 16.mu. inversion. Extraction efficiencies of 50% have been achieved. Repetition frequencies of 200Hz have been achieved using a repetitively Q-switched cavity.

14 And 16 micron, optically pumped, gas dynamic CO.sub.2 laser

An electric discharge gas dynamic laser in which excitation of one gas species is obtained in a plenum by use of a dc glow discharge. The gas present in the plenum is then accelerated through an array of supersonic nozzles where the laser species is injected and mixed with the primary flow. Energy transfer and lasing occur in the supersonic region of the flow. Brewster-angle windows which extend from 1 to 28 cm downstream from the nozzle exit plane enables a laser cavity or diagnostic apparatus to be positioned at a variable distance downstream from the injection point. The optics may be mounted on a motor-driven translation table so that continuous scans of the region downstream of the nozzle exit plane may be conveniently made. The present facility may easily be operated with a subsonic cavity, with an RF discharge to augment the dc plenum discharge, with all gases premixed, or with any combination of these configurations.

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Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Joseph A Stregack