Nuclear-pumped CO2 laser
Abstract
The He-3 (n,p)T reaction was examined as an energy source for a CO2 laser. For this purpose He-3 was added to a functioning CO2 electrically excited laser. Initially the laser was run electrically with 12 torr total pressure. The gas mixture was 1:1:8, CO2:N2:He. At zero reactor power, the laser was tested in place next to the core of the Georgia Tech. Research Reactor. After verification of laser action He-3 was added to the system. The He-3 partial pressures of 10 torr, 50 torr, and 300 torr were added in three separate reactor runs. Reactor power ranged from zero to 5 million watts, which corresponds to a peak flux of 10 to the 14th power/sq cm. At reactor powers greater than 10 kW, gain of up to 30 percent was shown. However, indications are this may be due to gamma excitation rather than caused by the He-3 (n,p)T reaction. These results do agree with the data of past CO2 nuclear pumped laser experiments.
- Publication:
-
Nucl.-Pumped Lasers
- Pub Date:
- December 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979npl..nasa...11R
- Keywords:
-
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Energy Sources;
- Helium Isotopes;
- Nuclear Pumped Lasers;
- Laser Outputs;
- Neutron Irradiation;
- Reactor Technology;
- Lasers and Masers