Method and device for synchronous generation and amplification of

Abstract

A device and method for synchronous generation and amplification of tunable UV laser radiation. The system makes use of flat plate conductors which contain first and second parallel spaced channels therein. In the first channel, a N.sub.2 discharge produces a N.sub.2 laser pulse which excites a dye cell laser that generates a narrow radiation spectrum. Optical grating dispersion elements select two tunable frequencies which produces a colinear two laser beam output. The two beam pulse is directed into a gas or vapor cell with a resonantly enhanced third order susceptibility which mixes the two frequencies and results in a vacuum ultraviolet signal. The signal from the gas or vapor cell is transmitted by a rotatable, movable mirror vacuum optical path, with variable pulse delay, to the second channel where it is injected into the discharge in the second channel at the instant that gain is available. Triggering switches with consecutive delays are fired to produce an electromagnetic wave with a wave front at an angle with the channels with the wave traveling continuously along the length of the plates which pumps the nitrogen in the first channel and then the appropriate gases in the second channel to drive an optical pulse along the length of the second channel.