Heat Pipe Copper Vapor Laser

The program objective was the development of a copper vapor laser in which the copper was contained within a heat pipe and whose vapor density could be controlled by an inert gas. Successful operation of a heat pipe with graphite and tungsten as the materials of construction was obtained to temperatures of 2100C. Both helium and argon were used for the control of the copper vapor pressure. The second aspect of the program was the development of a discharge configuration capable of the production of high current, short risetime excitation in the vapor and compatible with the heat pipe structure. Pulse generators were developed which were integral with the laser structure and had variable pulse repetition rates from one to 10,000 pulses per second. In the third part of the program investigation of laser action obtained in the heat pipe was carried out. Laser action at both 5106 micrometers and 5782 micrometers was successfully demonstrated at temperatures between 1500C and 1900C. Multiple laser pulses resulting from a single excitation pulse have been observed at temperatures above 1700C with pulse widths less than 2.5 nsec bandwidth limited.