Scaling of europium vapor laser
A.G. Filonov, D.V. Shiyanov, M.V. Trigub
V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
Keywords: gas laser, IR radiation, laser generation, europium vapor laser
Abstract
IR lasers are widely used in various fields of science and technology. In this regard, expanding the spectral range and obtaining effective generation in the IR is an urgent task. The object of our study is a laser based on the self-terminating transition of Eu atom with a radiation wavelength of 1.76 mm. In this work, we investigated the possibility of increasing the output parameters of such a laser by increasing the length of the active zone of the gas discharge tube (GDT). It is shown that increasing the volume of the discharge tube from 157 to 314 cm3 while maintaining the pump power level at 1200 W makes it possible to double the output power and laser efficiency. For the first time, an average radiation power of 2.5 W was achieved at the 1.76 mm line. The maximal efficiency of 0.3% is achieved at a pump power of 500 W. After 100 hours of operation, the energy characteristics of the Eu+Ne laser with an active zone volume of 314 cm3 demonstrated good repeatability, which allows us to conclude that it is possible to further increase the energy characteristics and lifetime of this laser. The results of the work can be used in microprocessing of materials, as well as in active optical systems associated with the visualization of fast processes.
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