Surface discharge photoinitiation of pulsed chemical lasers. Final technical report
This report summarizes the work carried out during GFY`92 under the contract entitled Surface Discharge (SD) Photoinitiation Pulsed Chemical Lasers. This work consisted of technical analyzes, memos and on-site test support. We considered SD design issues for both pulsed chemical lasers and photodissociation iodine lasers. Due to the similarity in the absorption band the requirements on the SD light source are very similar. The SD systems can be utilized for either type of laser. Both rectangular and cylindrical SD configurations were analyzed. The cylindrical configuration is simpler, provides direct ultraviolet coupling into the laser medium, is smaller and lighter and is better for voltage stand-off in multiple module configurations. But the impedance matching between the electrical circuit and the SD plasma is more difficult with the cylindrical geometry unless small diameter cavities can be employed. A cylindrical configuration is preferred if the laser energy density is high enough for the diameter to be less than about 10 cm. A single rectangular SD module was tested for the first time at high voltage and worked very well. The four module system was integrated into the laser and SD tests conducted. Laser operation both in the DF-CO{sub 2} mode at 10.6 {mu}m and the DF mode at about 3.8 {mu}m were investigated. This is the first time a SD has been used in this configuration to produce laser energy outputs at the levels achieved. A weight scaling analysis of the pulsed power system was undertaken to support the application of this laser system. The pulsed power system will weigh 50 to 100 lbs. and provide 10 to 100 shots at repetition rates of less then 1 Hz. We concluded that the most practical approach to producing efficient ultraviolet emission from the SD at the short pulses needed for photoinitiation, and on the SD areas needed for the laser operation, employs a single capacitor bank rather than a pulser-sustainer approach.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States); Schafer (W.J.) Associates, Inc., Chelmsford, MA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 10124117
- Report Number(s):
- LA-SUB-93-13; WJSA-R-92-B-012; ON: DE93006337
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 20 Oct 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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