A solar pumped iodine laser amplifier

Abstract

An iodine laser amplifier system is designed and constructed to evaluate the concept of a space based solar pumped laser amplifier. A small laser oscillator which generates a 4—µS TEMoo pulse containing energy of 61.2 mJ and a 1.17 m long amplifier tube pumped by a flashlamp were used for the study. The energy extraction efficiency was observed to increase for lower pressure and weaker pumping. When the iodide fill pressure is 30 Torr, the maximum extractraction efficiencies are 43% and 63% for pumping energies of 1,410J and 977J respectively. When the gas fill pressure is reduced to 20 Torr for the pumping energy of 977J, the maximum energy extraction efficiency is near 100%.An iodine laser amplifier system is designed and constructed to evaluate the concept of a space based solar pumped laser amplifier. A small laser oscillator which generates a 4—µS TEMoo pulse containing energy of 61.2 mJ and a 1.17 m long amplifier tube pumped by a flashlamp were used for the study. The energy extraction efficiency was observed to increase for lower pressure and weaker pumping. When the iodide fill pressure is 30 Torr, the maximum extractraction efficiencies are 43% and 63% for pumping energies of 1,410J and 977J respectively. When the gas fill pressure is reduced to 20 Torr for the pumping energy of 977J, the maximum energy extraction efficiency is near 100%.