Pulsed Lasers For Holographic Interferometry
Abstract
Optical holography has been successfully utilized for a wide variety of applications in such areas as structural analysis, flow visualization, biomechan-ics, and analysis of particle fields. Pulsed lasers capable of delivering multijoule pulses of holographic quality with pulse widths of the order of 10 ns play an important role in such applications where the phenomena under study are inherently transient or where it is difficult to isolate the experimental apparatus from ambient vibrations. This paper reviews the design, performance character-istics, and selection criteria for the two most popular pulsed lasers used in holography, ruby and frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers. In addition, two other lasers, alexandrite and CO2 lasers, which are not commonly used in this area but which offer great potential, are briefly discussed.
- Publication:
-
Optical Engineering
- Pub Date:
- August 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.7973543
- Bibcode:
- 1985OptEn..24..639P
- Keywords:
-
- High Power Lasers;
- Holographic Interferometry;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Ruby Lasers;
- Solid State Lasers;
- Yag Lasers;
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Frequency Multipliers;
- Laser Mode Locking;
- Neodymium Lasers;
- Optical Pumping;
- Optical Resonators;
- Pulse Repetition Rate;
- Q Switched Lasers;
- Lasers and Masers