Windows for HF/DF chemical lasers - CaF2 or ZnSe
Abstract
An investigation of laser-driven phenomena occurring in CaF2 and ZnSe window materials which affect the performance of high energy laser systems at chemical wavelengths is reported. The systems studied comprised an optical cavity, relay tube, beam expander, and output window to the focus. An analysis of the cumulative phaseshifts due to beam defocusing and distortion caused by thermally generated aberrations in the window is performed to determine an expression for the degradation in focal intensity. Optical distortion coefficients are derived for laser beams passing through a solid window, and specifically for polycrystalline CaF2 and ZnSe, along with other elastic, optical, and elastic properties. Performance evaluations are analytically compared for the two materials, and CVD ZnSe windows are found suitable for maximizing peak irradiance, while CaF2 is useful for optimizing energy delivery capabilities of HF/DF lasers.
- Publication:
-
Lasers 1980; Proceedings of the International Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981lase.conf...61K
- Keywords:
-
- Calcium Fluorides;
- Chemical Lasers;
- Df Lasers;
- Hf Lasers;
- Laser Windows;
- Zinc Selenides;
- Defocusing;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- High Power Lasers;
- Laser Cavities;
- Laser Outputs;
- Performance Prediction;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Systems Engineering;
- Lasers and Masers