Cherenkov infrared laser

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6046517

Johnson, B; Walsh, J

Successful production of microwave radiation by Cherenkov masers has prompted an investigation into their feasibility for submillimeter and far-infrared wavelength generation. A theoretical examination of output parameters such as frequency and small signal gain was conducted for an easily fabricated resonator geometry. The resonator consists of two parallel plates, each with a thin (0.5 to 3 ..mu..m) dielectric coating, separated by 2 mm. This waveguide will support TM modes which are coupled to a relativistic electron beam propagating between the plates. While the interaction of the electrons with the dielectric causes spontaneous Cherenkov emission, the difference between the beam velocity and the phase velocity of the mode causes a bunching of the electrons which is responsible for further stimulated emission. The frequency of the generated radiation is determined by the dispersion relation of the waveguide mode. Gain is calculated assuming the effects of space-charge modes are negligible i.e., operation is in the Compton regime. Results indicate that such a double-slab resonator will provide detectable levels of infrared radiation from a mildly relativistic (3-10 MeV) electron beam. The theoretical analysis is undertaken in preparation for a series of experiments to be conducted at the ENEA facility in Frascati, Italy where a 5 MeV microtron accelerator will be used to produce radiation in the 10- to 100 ..mu..m range. A suitable choice for the dielectric material would be polyethylene, both because of its low dielectric constant (2.2) and its relatively low loss in the infrared. A detailed discussion of the design choices will be presented.

• Research Organization: Dartmouth Coll., Hanover, NH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6046517
• Report Number(s): AD-A-160110/3/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
LASERS
CHERENKOV RADIATION
CAVITY RESONATORS
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRONS
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
GAIN
PLATES
RELATIVITY THEORY
VELOCITY
WAVEGUIDES
AMPLIFICATION
BEAMS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUIPMENT
FERMIONS
FIELD THEORIES
GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
INFRARED RADIATION
LEPTON BEAMS
LEPTONS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RESONATORS
420300* - Engineering- Lasers- (-1989)