Viktor B. Sukhanov

A stabilized copper bromide laser with computer-controlled operating modes and a mean lasing power of 20 W

A copper bromide vapor laser with a mean lasing power of 20 W and the computer-controlled pulse-periodic, pulse train, and waiting modes is described. The laser power-supply unit has a modular structure. The effect of operating parameters on the lasing characteristics is shown. The mutual influence of the power-supply units is determined. The laser design and energy characteristics are presented.

A copper bromide vapor laser with computer control of the repetitive-pulse, train, and waiting operating modes

A copper bromide vapor laser with an average radiation power of 10 W operating in a reducedenergy-contribution mode with the computer-controlled repetitive-pulse, train, and waiting operating modes is described. The influence of the parameters of laser operating modes on the lasing characteristics is shown. The laser characteristics are presented.

Influence of H 2 and HBr additives on Cu and CuB vapor lasers performance

Investigations of the output parameters of CuBr (Cu)+HBr laser systems have shown that HBr additives to the CuBr laser active medium result in an increase ofthe laser output power and efficiency that compares, in this case, with that of a CuBr laser with H2 additives. It has been found that the vapor of working substance are additionally produced in gas-discharge tubes (GDTs) less than 2 cm in diameter due to expulsion of copper atoms from the GDT walls by HBr. The results of simulating the kinetics of the copper vapor laser active medium with HBr additives show that the enhancement of the laser performance parameters can be explained by the processes of chemical transformation of copper from the solid phase into the gas one.

Frequency characteristics of sealed-off CuBr laser

Experimental study of sealed-off CuBr laser was performed with the aim to prolong its lifetime. Electrical circuit with a transistor switch was used. Optimal pulse repetition rate corresponding to maximum output radiation power was obtained.

High-pulse-repetition-frequency CuBr laser

In the paper, we present new results of CuBr-laser study in a regular pulse mode with a high PRF and in a mode of modified double pumping pulses with PRF = 30 kHz. It has been shown a stable PRF over 500 kHz can be obtained.

Metal halides vapor lasers with inner reactor and small active volume.

Investigation of the energy characteristics of copper, manganese, lead halide vapor lasers with inner reactor and small active volume 90 cm3 was made. The optimal operating pulse repetition rates, temperatures, and buffer gas pressure for gas discharge tubes with internal and external electrodes are determined. Under identical pump conditions, such systems are not inferior in their characteristics to standard metal halide vapor lasers. It is shown that the use of a zeolite halogen generator provides lifetime laser operation.

Laser diode light amplification by metal vapor active media

This article discusses the feasibility of using laser diodes as external illumination sources, with subsequent light amplification in the lead vapor brightness amplifier, as a typical representative of metal vapor lasers. The results show that ordinary laser diodes cannot be used as illumination sources. In order to exceed the self noise energy of the brightness amplifier it is essential to use either more powerful similar laser diodes or diodes with a narrower radiation spectrum such as DFB.

Influence of gas mixture content and pumping conditions on CuBr+Ne+H2 (HBr) vapor lasers performance

Dependence of a CuBr laser output on the pressure of H2- and HBr- additives into active medium has been investigated. Optimal H2 and HBr densities for maximal laser output have been determined when pressure of Ne buffer gas was varied in the range from 10 up to 100 torr. Laser output has been studied with variation of the active compound (CuBr) pressure in the range from 0.1 up to 0.6 torr for gas discharge tubes of different volumes. The optimal additive pressure has been shown to linearly depend on a voltage across gas discharge tube at high pressure of the buffer gas. The optimal density of copper bromide decreases while pulse repetition rate increases up to 100 kHz. It is assumed that accumulating of Cu-atoms takes place in the active medium due to decreasing of interpulse period.

Metal and metal halide vapor lasers: new opportunities

The influence of minor H 2 and HBr additives on the generation characteristics of some copper bromide vapor lasers is experimentally investigated. It is demonstrated that at optimal concentrations of both admixtures, the average generation power increases by five times for lasers with small active element diameters, and by two times for lasers with major diameters. For the maintenance of an adjusted concentration of the admixture, the original construction of the HBr generator is developed, which in the reversible regime removes not only the HBr surplus from active volume of the laser, but also at least some of harmful products of the working laser. The obtained results are applied to the development of a sealed-off self-heating copper bromide vapor laser with an integral HBr generator, operating in the automatic regime.

Light-dynamic systems based on copper bromide vapor laser

Results of investigation of operation of copper bromide vapor laser and device based on such laser and intended for creating light-dynamic effects are presented. Exciting circuit of this laser is based on insulated gate bipolar transistors that adds considerably to the laser life.1,2