High power, CW atmospheric CO2 laser radar power amplifier
Abstract
An atmospheric pressure and e-beam sustained closed-cycle CO2 laser amplifier has been developed and operated as a coherent radar power amplifier. Its electrical characteristics and arc-free performance are equal to that of similar high-pressure CW open-cycle e-beam sustained lasers. The measured small-signal and saturated gains agree reasonably well with predictions. The high-power runtime has been improved to many minutes of operation by reducing the plasma contamination rate, using gas makeup and servoing the e-beam current. Faraday-rotation optical isolators are used to reduce optical feedback to maintain excellent transmitter laser frequency stability. This power amplifier has been used routinely to provide 5 to 20 kW of frequency-stable 10.6 micron output power for coherent radar experiments.
- Publication:
-
Lasers 1980; Proceedings of the International Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981lase.conf..543K
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Lasers;
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Continuous Wave Lasers;
- High Power Lasers;
- Power Amplifiers;
- Radar Equipment;
- Coherent Radar;
- Contamination;
- Electric Discharges;
- Electron Beams;
- Faraday Effect;
- Frequency Stability;
- Isolators;
- Laser Applications;
- Power Efficiency;
- Lasers and Masers