Transversely excited double-discharge HCN laser
Abstract
A transversely excited HCN laser with u.v.preionization is described. The influence of the auxiliary discharge on the laser medium is discussed and the results obtained with laser gas mixtures CH 3CN-He, (CN) 2-H 2-He and HCN-CH 4-He are presented. Optimum laser conditions were found for HCN-CH 4-He mixtures in a flow system where the laser energy is increased by a factor of 7 compared with the energy obtained from the other gas mixtures mentioned above. Transverse excitation, u.v.-preionization, flow system and the use of pure HCN result in a dramatic increase of the input and output energy per volume. Laser energies per pulse of at least 1 mJ and less than 15 mJ are obtained. The generation of stimulated farinfrared emission by photolysis of HCN-CH 4-He gas mixtures is discussed. A reaction chamber capable of guiding submillimeter waves was developed. In order to gain insight into the laser mechanism, the laser emissions of the CN radicals and the HCN molecules were measured.
- Publication:
-
Infrared Physics
- Pub Date:
- August 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0020-0891(79)90039-3
- Bibcode:
- 1979InfPh..19..277S
- Keywords:
-
- Gas Discharges;
- Gas Mixtures;
- Hcn Lasers;
- Molecular Excitation;
- Photoionization;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Acetonitrile;
- Far Infrared Radiation;
- Free Radicals;
- Gas Ionization;
- Helium;
- Laser Materials;
- Methane;
- Stimulated Emission;
- Submillimeter Waves;
- Ultraviolet Radiation;
- Lasers and Masers