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Fission-fragment nuclear lasing of Ar(He)-Xe

Journal Article · · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.92049· OSTI ID:5011129

Nuclear-pumped lasing of Ar-Xe and He-Xe has been demonstrated using /sup 235/UF/sub 6/ fission-fragment excitation. Fission fragments were created by absorption of thermal neutrons in a combination of gaseous /sup 235/UF/sub 6/ and laser-tube wall coatings formed from UF/sub 6/ chemical reaction products. At a pressure of 600 Torr Ar--(3%) Xe, lasing occurred at 2.65 ..mu..m in Xe. Up to 3 Torr of gaseous /sup 235/UF/sub 6/ was added to 600 Torr Ar-Xe before serious laser quenching occurred. With 3 Torr of /sup 235/UF/sub 6/ added, 38% of the energy deposition came from gaseous UF/sub 6/ and the remainder from the uranium wall coating. The neutron flux at lasing threshold was found to be 4 x 10/sup 15/ n/cm/sup 2/ sec.

Research Organization:
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056
OSTI ID:
5011129
Journal Information:
Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 37:8; ISSN APPLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English