Accession Number:

ADA191084

Title:

Laser Comparison Study of Nd:BEL and Nd:YAG.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Dec 85-Jun 86,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE WRIGHT AERONAUTICAL LABS WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH

Personal Author(s):

• Simpson, Ralph C.

Report Date:

1987-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

52.0

Abstract:

Except for a few early instances, military tactical lasers have used Nd3 doped Y3Al5O12 NdYAG as the laser material. With an output wavelength of 1.064 micro and an optimum slope efficiency near 3.0, the performance of this solid state material is well known 1, while the use of other materials is currently being evaluated 2,3,4. To provide an advantage over NdYAG, issues such as efficiency, beam quality, reliability, and availability must be considered. A study of a possible alternative to NdYAG was undertaken. Nd3 doped La2Be2O5 NdBEL was the material that was chosen. The research concentrated on relative performance parameters. What we hoped to identify were any glaring weaknesses of a material which could preclude its military use, or any significant strengths which would encourage its exploitation. To complement the data obtained, a brief discussion of spectroscopy, lasing levels, and other physical properties is included in Section II.

Descriptors:

• *SOLID STATE LASERS
• *NEODYMIUM LASERS
• COMPARISON
• LASER MATERIALS
• MILITARY EQUIPMENT
• RELIABILITY
• SPECTROSCOPY
• YTTRIUM ALUMINUM GARNET
• LANTHANUM
• MILITARY APPLICATIONS
• INFRARED LASERS

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE