Modeling of a solar-pumped iodine laser
- NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.
The direct conversion in space of solar radiation into laser radiation for power transmission to earth, satellites, or deep space probes shows promise as a reasonably simple technology and may have cost advantage in deployment and greater reliability compared to other methods of space power generation and transmission. The main candidates for solar pumping are the gas dynamic, photochemical, and direct photoexcited lasers. Here consideration is given to the photochemical reaction of alkyliodides which predominantly excite the I(2P1/2) state which then lases at 1.315 microns. The iodine ground state is eventually lost to reconstituting the gas or in the formation of molecular iodine. The rates at which the gas is required to be recycled through the laser system are modest. The side exposure at 100-fold solar concentration of a 100-m long tube with a 1 sq m cross section is estimated to provide 20 kW of continuous laser output. Scaling laws and optimum operating conditions of this system are discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 5599384
- Journal Information:
- Va. J. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Va. J. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 31; ISSN VJSCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
42 ENGINEERING
420300 -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
ABSORPTION
CHEMICAL LASERS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVERSION
CROSS SECTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY LEVELS
KINETICS
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
OPTICAL PUMPING
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION
PUMPING
RADIATIONS
REACTION KINETICS
SCALING LAWS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION