High energy bursts from a solid state laser operated in the heat capacity limited regime
High energy bursts are produced from a solid state laser operated in a heat capacity limited regime. Instead of cooling the laser, the active medium is thermally well isolated. As a result, the active medium will heat up until it reaches some maximum acceptable temperature. The waste heat is stored in the active medium itself. Therefore, the amount of energy the laser can put out during operation is proportional to its mass, the heat capacity of the active medium, and the temperature difference over which it is being operated. The high energy burst capacity of a heat capacity operated solid state laser, together with the absence of a heavy, power consuming steady state cooling system for the active medium, will make a variety of applications possible. Alternately, cooling takes place during a separate sequence when the laser is not operating. Industrial applications include new material working processes. 5 figs.
- Research Organization:
- University of California
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5,526,372/A/
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-286,372
- OSTI ID:
- 242580
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Army Solid State Laser Program: Design, Operation, and Mission Analysis for a Heat-Capacity Laser
CATCHING BURST SLUGS