Resonance enhancement of optoacoustic signal for frequency stabilization of CO/sub 2/ laser pump for CH/sub 3/OH FIR laser

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1140233· OSTI ID:5525515

Fishback, J R; Azar, M; Ventrice, C A; Hutchinson, D P

The resonance enhancement of an optoacoustic signal, generated in methyl alcohol vapor, is investigated with the objective of obtaining a reliable discriminator at reduced pump power levels. The 9P(36) pump line from a CO/sub 2/ laser is used throughout the study. The optoacoustic signal strength and resonator Q are measured at the fundamental longitudinal resonant frequency for various resonator geometries and vapor pressures. Resonators of length ranging from 12 to 24 cm are examined for tubes of inner diameter 7.5, 9.5, and 10.6 mm. The maximum vapor pressure for which a reliable discriminator is obtained is found to be 1 Torr. Both the optacoustic signal strength and the resonator Q increase with increasing vapor pressure and decreasing resonator length. The highest Q is obtained for the 10.6-mm-i.d. tubes. Using a resonator of the length 14 cm and 10.6-mm i.d. at a vapor pressure of 1 Torr, it is found that a pump power as low as 0.4 W gives a reliable discriminator.

• Research Organization: Electrical Engineering Department, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505
• OSTI ID: 5525515
• Journal Information: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 59:2; ISSN RSINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
ALCOHOLS
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
CONTROL
EMISSION
ENERGY
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FREQUENCY CONTROL
GAS LASERS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LASER CAVITIES
LASERS
METHANOL
OPTICAL PUMPING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PUMPING
Q-VALUE
RELIABILITY
STABILIZATION
STIMULATED EMISSION