FALCON nuclear-reactor-pumped laser program and wireless power transmission
Abstract
FALCON is a high-power, reactor-pumped laser concept. The major strengths of a reactor-pumped laser are as follows: (1) simple, modular construction; (2) long-duration, closed-cycle capability; (3) self-contained power; (4) compact size; and (5) a variety of wavelengths (from visible to infrared). Reactor-pumped lasing has been demonstrated experimentally in various mixtures of xenon, argon, neon, and helium at wavelengths of 585, 703, 725, 1271, 1733, 1792, 2032, 2630, 2650, and 3370 nm with intrinsic efficiency as high as 2.5 percent. Powers up to 300 W for 2 ms have been demonstrated. Projected beam quality for FALCON is good enough that frequency doubling at reasonable efficiencies could be expected to yield wavelengths at 353, 363, 636, 867, 896, 1016, 1315, 1325, and 1685 nm. Appropriate missions for FALCON are described and include the following: power beaming to satellites, the moon, and unmanned surveillance planes; lunar mapping; space debris removal; and laser propulsion.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the 1st Annual Wireless Power Transmission Conference
- Pub Date:
- October 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992awpt.conf...23L
- Keywords:
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- Closed Cycles;
- Efficiency;
- Energy Transfer;
- Gas Lasers;
- High Power Lasers;
- Laser Outputs;
- Laser Power Beaming;
- Lasing;
- Optical Pumping;
- Rare Gases;
- Argon;
- Helium;
- Infrared Radiation;
- Lunar Maps;
- Lunar Surface;
- Neon;
- Space Debris;
- Xenon;
- Lasers and Masers