Theoretical analysis of the performance of an atomic iodine laser amplifier chain
Abstract
A numerical solution to the Maxwell-Bloch equations describing the pulse evolution in an amplifying or absorbing medium is used to analyze the performance of an atomic iodine laser amplifier chain with output powers close to 2 TW. Pulse compression occurring as a result of saturation, and related aspects such as damage to components, self-focusing, correlations between input and output pulse shapes, and the means of pulse shape control are discussed. Various schemes suited for achieving extraction efficiencies of about 55% or larger are presented, including the single-pass and double-pass schemes and variations of the pulse carrier frequency. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to examine chain output pulse reactions to a variation of those parameters most easily subject to change in routine operation.
- Publication:
-
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
- Pub Date:
- May 1982
- DOI:
- 10.1109/JQE.1982.1071613
- Bibcode:
- 1982IJQE...18..885U
- Keywords:
-
- Iodine Lasers;
- Laser Outputs;
- Light Amplifiers;
- Performance Prediction;
- Photoabsorption;
- Pulse Compression;
- Carrier Frequencies;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Nonlinear Optics;
- Saturation;
- Self Focusing;
- Lasers and Masers