Laser research and applications

Research progress on the following topics is outlined: (1) rare gas halogen laser program; (2) laser triggered switches; (3) laser controlled ionization front accelerator; (4) lasers for combustion research; (5) 10-(SIGMA) m interferometer for electron density measurements; (6) Q-switched and free running stable pulse 1.06 (SIGMA) m laser; (7) Raman spectroscopy; (8) multiphoton ionization; (9) chemical vapor deposition and plasma etching; (10) laser desorption mass spectrometry; (11) collision broadening and shift of the K 4p-ns and 4p-nd lines by Ar; (12) chemically pumped iodine laser; (13) laser induced chemical reactions; (14) photolytic pumping of a laser by a moving, hot plasma; (15) laser based surface spectroscopy; (16) laser generated low density channels; (17) radiation driven density waves in optically pumped gas lasers; (18) propagation of an annular laser beam; (19) theoretical modeling of the chemical vapor deposition process; (20) charge exchange cross sections for C(6)-H collisions; (21) the stopping power of gold ions for protons; (22) electron ionization cross sections of low-Z ions; (23) electron shielding effects on fusion cross sections; and (24) radiation efficiencies from imploding liners.