Five-level argon–helium discharge model for characterization of a diode-pumped rare-gas laser

Eshel, Ben; Perram, Glen P.

doi:10.1364/josab.35.000164

Cited by 30 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Figure b shows the variation of G o and the estimated [Ar(1s 5 )], which extends well above 10 13 cm –3 for Ar fractions of 5–15%. Models typically predict greatly increased laser efficiency and power scaling potential when the discharge-generated Ar metastable number density exceeds 10 13 cm –3 . − The optimization near 10% Ar is somewhat unexpected, based on previous evaluations of the energy transfer kinetics at 1 atm which indicated 4–5% Ar as an optimal composition.…”

Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present work was not designed to explore aspects of electrical and optical–optical efficiency relevant to advanced power scaling of the DPRGL system. These have been examined in detail in previous modeling publications as noted in the Introduction. − However, the diode-pumped lasing experiments suggest an interesting trend in argon metastable utilization within the pump/lase cycle. For the observed Ar(1s 5 ) number densities and gas flow rates, the effective Ar(1s 5 ) power in the flow is on the order of 5 to 10 mW within the microplasma volume.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Relevant prior research includes investigations of collisional state-to-state energy transfer kinetics, , collisional line broadening rates, − the kinetics of discharge production of Ar(1s 5 ) metastables, ,− and kinetics-based models of scaling the laser output to elevated powers. − Various laser and discharge design configurations have also been investigated. − In this paper, we describe experimental measurements and kinetics analysis of spatially resolved small-signal gain produced by optical pumping of Ar(1s 5 ) generated in microplasma arrays, as well as diode-pumped lasing, following the transition sequence illustrated in Figure . Analysis of the optical gain results required additional research to characterize the spatially resolved microdischarge temperatures and collisional line-broadening dynamics, and to verify the relevant microplasma spectroscopy and branching ratios; those results are provided in the Supporting Information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Kinetics of Metastable Argon Optical Excitation and Gain in Ar/He Microplasmas

et al. 2023

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The optically pumped rare-gas metastable laser is capable of high-intensity lasing on a broad range of near-infrared transitions for excited-state rare gas atoms (Ar*, Kr*, Ne*, Xe*) diluted in flowing He. The lasing action is generated by photoexcitation of the metastable atom to an upper state, followed by collisional energy transfer with He to a neighboring state and lasing back to the metastable state. The metastables are generated in a high-efficiency electric discharge at pressures of ∼0.4 to 1 atm. The diode-pumped rare-gas laser (DPRGL) is a chemically inert analogue to diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) systems, with similar optical and power scaling characteristics for high-energy laser applications. We used a continuous-wave linear microplasma array in Ar/He mixtures to produce Ar(1s5) (Paschen notation) metastables at number densities exceeding 1013 cm–3. The gain medium was optically pumped by both a narrow-line 1 W titanium-sapphire laser and a 30 W diode laser. Tunable diode laser absorption and gain spectroscopy determined Ar(1s5) number densities and small-signal gains up to ∼2.5 cm–1. Continuous-wave lasing was observed using the diode pump laser. The results were analyzed with a steady-state kinetics model relating the gain and the Ar(1s5) number density.

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Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Kinetics of Metastable Argon Optical Excitation and Gain in Ar/He Microplasmas

et al. 2023

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“…The main factor limiting the improvement of laser power is the volume of gain medium. The previous theoretical model suggested that a discharge volume of tens of cubic centimeters would be required for a 100 kW laser system [13] , which was much larger than the volume reported in the studies [9][10][11][14][15][16][17][18][19] . In fact, it is a common challenge of any electrical discharge to generate dense plasma in a large volume.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Segmented pulsed discharge for metastable argon lasing medium

et al. 2022

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Direct current pulsed discharge is a promising route for producing high-density metastable particles required for optically pumped rare gas lasers (OPRGLs). Such metastable densities are easily realized in small discharge volumes at near atmospheric pressures, but problems appear when one is trying to achieve a large volume of plasma for high-power output. In this work, we examined the volume scalability of high-density metastable argon atoms by segmented discharge configuration. Two discharge zones attached with peaking capacitors were connected parallelly by thin wires, through which the peaking capacitors were charged and of which the inductance functioned as ballasting impendence to prevent discharging in only one zone. A uniform and dense plasma with the peak value of the number densities of Ar (1s 5 ) on the order of 10 13 cm −3 was readily achieved. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using segmented discharge for OPRGL development.

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“…Mikheyev et al from the Lebedev Physical Institute realized lasing in a dielectric barrier discharge 45 . Zuo et al from Huazhong University of Science and Technology also studied lasing characteristics in the DPRGL using a repetitively pulsed discharge 43,46 . Although not as perfect as DPALs, a power scaling analysis by B. Eshel et al from the Air Force Institute of Technology theoretically demonstrated the possibility of a 100 kW DPRGL with high efficiency.…”

Section: New Thoughts Towards Hels Inspired By Electric Rocket-enginesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The second fusion of laser and aerospace—an inspiration for high energy lasers

Xu¹,

Wang²,

Yang³

2023

OEA

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Since the first laser was invented, the pursuit of high-energy lasers (HELs) has always been enthusiastic. The first revolution of HELs was pushed by the fusion of laser and aerospace in the 1960s, with the chemical rocket engines giving fresh impetus to the birth of gas flow and chemical lasers, which finally turned megawatt lasers from dream into reality. Nowadays, the development of HELs has entered the age of electricity as well as the rocket engines. The properties of current electric rocket engines are highly consistent with HELs' goals, including electrical driving, effective heat dissipation, little medium consumption and extremely light weight and size, which inspired a second fusion of laser and aerospace and motivated the exploration for potential HELs. As an exploratory attempt, a new configuration of diode pumped metastable rare gas laser was demonstrated, with the gain generator resembling an electric rocket-engine for improved power scaling ability.

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Five-level argon–helium discharge model for characterization of a diode-pumped rare-gas laser

Cited by 30 publications

References 22 publications

Kinetics of Metastable Argon Optical Excitation and Gain in Ar/He Microplasmas

Kinetics of Metastable Argon Optical Excitation and Gain in Ar/He Microplasmas

Segmented pulsed discharge for metastable argon lasing medium

The second fusion of laser and aerospace—an inspiration for high energy lasers

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