Method and apparatus for fast laser-pulse detection using gaseous plasmas
Abstract
The method and device of the instant invention is a detector of pulsed laser radiation which utilizes the electromotive force generated by the plasma formed when such radiation is focused onto a surface. Measurements are made with a 10.6 ..mu..m CO/sub 2/ laser capable of producing peak intensities of 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/ when directed through a converging lens. Evacuated detector response to such laser intensity if 1 kV signal peak amplitude and subnanosecond risetimes into a 50 ..cap omega.. load. Detector performance is found to be greatly altered with the introduction of a background gas. For example, with one atmosphere of air, the detector produces prompt signals of the order of 1 V with subnanosecond response for pulse trains lasting 100 ns. With argon, krypton, or zenon at pressures of the order of 10 torr, the detector generates trigger pulses of about 250 V amplitude and 0.2 ns risetimes. Such detectors are quite robust when irradiated with high intensity laser radiation and are useful for qualitative laser beam monitoring.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5218435
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; LASER RADIATION; RADIATION DETECTION; LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA; AIR; ARGON; CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS; KRYPTON; PLASMA PRODUCTION; PULSED IRRADIATION; PULSES; XENON; DETECTION; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELEMENTS; FLUIDS; GAS LASERS; GASES; IRRADIATION; LASERS; NONMETALS; PLASMA; RADIATIONS; RARE GASES; 440300* - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)
Citation Formats
McLellan, E J, and Webb, J A. Method and apparatus for fast laser-pulse detection using gaseous plasmas. United States: N. p., 1981.
Web.
McLellan, E J, & Webb, J A. Method and apparatus for fast laser-pulse detection using gaseous plasmas. United States.
McLellan, E J, and Webb, J A. Thu .
"Method and apparatus for fast laser-pulse detection using gaseous plasmas". United States.
@article{osti_5218435,
title = {Method and apparatus for fast laser-pulse detection using gaseous plasmas},
author = {McLellan, E J and Webb, J A},
abstractNote = {The method and device of the instant invention is a detector of pulsed laser radiation which utilizes the electromotive force generated by the plasma formed when such radiation is focused onto a surface. Measurements are made with a 10.6 ..mu..m CO/sub 2/ laser capable of producing peak intensities of 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/ when directed through a converging lens. Evacuated detector response to such laser intensity if 1 kV signal peak amplitude and subnanosecond risetimes into a 50 ..cap omega.. load. Detector performance is found to be greatly altered with the introduction of a background gas. For example, with one atmosphere of air, the detector produces prompt signals of the order of 1 V with subnanosecond response for pulse trains lasting 100 ns. With argon, krypton, or zenon at pressures of the order of 10 torr, the detector generates trigger pulses of about 250 V amplitude and 0.2 ns risetimes. Such detectors are quite robust when irradiated with high intensity laser radiation and are useful for qualitative laser beam monitoring.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1981},
month = {6}
}