Accession Number:

AD0777143

Title:

A Quantitative Theory of an Electron-Beam-Excited Carbon Monoxide Gas Dynamic Laser: 1. Formulation

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

RAND CORP SANTA MONICA CA

Personal Author(s):

• Chen, C. C.

Report Date:

1973-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

70.0

Abstract:

A new concept for a high power CO gas dynamic laser, coupling a supersonic expansion nozzle and an electron beam preionizer-sustainer discharge system, that promises both the high efficiency of an electrically pumped CO GDL and the high power of a thermally pumped CO GDL. The superiority of the proposed laser to existing CO lasers for atmospheric application is shown. General operational characteristics of a CO laser, and a state of the art review of the various types of continuous-wave CO lasers are given. The principle of anharmonic V-V pumping is presented, and the excitation and inversion mechanisms of these CO lasers are described. Finally, a quantitative theory is formulated to describe the new laser, and a frozen flow approximation of the problem is proposed.

Descriptors:

• *CARBON MONOXIDE LASERS
• *GAS DYNAMIC LASERS
• GAS DYNAMICS
• ELECTRON BEAMS
• ELECTRON TRANSITIONS
• ATOMIC ENERGY LEVELS
• EXCITATION
• REACTION KINETICS
• QUANTUM EFFICIENCY

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE