Abstract

A new laser concept for a long pulse DF and DF CO₂ pulsed chemical laser of 300-100-μs duration was identified by computer modeling. Subsequently, proof-of-principle experiments were carried out with our Meteor I device (microseconds in duration) to validate the concept. Recently our Meteor II device came on-line allowing a much wider range of pumping (e-beam durations of 5-30 μs). The essential features of the concept are that a combination of weak initiation and a lean fuel mix stretch out the pulse length between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude compared with traditional operation. Such weak pumping would ordinarily lead to undersaturation of the lasing transitions; however, by extending the gain length by an order of magnitude or reducing the outcoupling fraction significantly (<30%), this can be overcome.

© 1990 Optical Society of America