Deflagration-induced flash of solid pyrotechnics as pumps for high-energy solid state lasers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using the flash produced by deflagration of solid pyrotechnics to pump the laser gain medium is a potentially effective way to develop portable high power lasers. The purpose of this work is to examine the effect of some optimization or modifications in terms of compositions and distribution of the pyrotechnic pumping sources on the laser output. The optimization means the transmittance of the output couple. Modifications include: (1) pyrotechnic compositions are improved by adding small amounts of nano Al powders; (2) distribution of pumping light around the laser rod is changed through changing the discrete pyrotechnic tablets into continuous pyrotechnic bars. Results showed that laser output energy reached the maximum of 656 mJ when the transmittance of output mirror raised to10%; after adding nano Al powders into pyrotechnic compositions, laser energy increased by 80% at addition of 2% in the case of discrete distribution, while in the case of continuous distribution, even the mass of pyrotechnics was halved, laser energy still increased to the maximum of 442 mJ with 1% nano Al ad ded. Besides, typical temporal waveform and spot of the laser as well as the light radiation performance of the pyrotechnic tablet are measured to help analyze the laser output performance. It is suggested that the mechanisms of the three modifications we employed are different though they all lead to increase in laser output. Solid state lasers; Deflagration-induced flash; Flash powders; Pumping source