Scalable pulsed mid-infrared laser

C. Randy Jones; R. Neil Campbell; Christopher S. Kletecka; Wolfgang G. Rudolph

doi:10.1117/12.518078

6 October 2003 Scalable pulsed mid-infrared laser

C. Randy Jones, R. Neil Campbell, Christopher S. Kletecka, Wolfgang G. Rudolph

Proceedings Volume 5137, International Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies 2002: Advanced Lasers and Systems; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.518078
Event: International Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies 2002, 2002, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

We demonstrate the use of an Nd:YAG laser to optically pump an HBr gas laser, a concept combining the advanctages of solid-state and gas-laser technologies. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, tuned to 1.34 μm and frequency-stabilized, excites the v=3, J=5 state of HBr in a third-overtone transition. A diode laser locked to the HBr transition provides the seed signal for the Nd:YAG laser. Higher efficiencies than previously obtained for similar systems are expected in this concept because of the possibility of cascade lasing, which we have observed in our experiments and predicted in our simulations. Pump pulses of approximately 400-ns duration and 20-mJ energy are directed along the axis of a 1-m containing 15-torr HBr. In the currently unoptimized configuration, approximately 6 laser lines at about 4 μm are observed. The observed laser spectrum suggests collisional pumping for some lines and that intracavity atmospheric CO₂ is a factor. We have developed and used a kinetic model, which shows good agreement with the experimental results. There is evidence of pure rotatioal lasing. Amplifiers are being added to increase the pump energy to 1 J.

Citation Download Citation

C. Randy Jones, R. Neil Campbell, Christopher S. Kletecka, and Wolfgang G. Rudolph "Scalable pulsed mid-infrared laser", Proc. SPIE 5137, International Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies 2002: Advanced Lasers and Systems, (6 October 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.518078

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