Compact High Repetition Rate CO[sub]2[/sub] TEA Lasers

D. B. Cohn; M P Hasselbeck; W P Affleck; R E Eldridge; T P Moser; G R Sasaki; T. A Watson; P. J. Bailey

doi:10.1117/12.951263

28 July 1989 Compact High Repetition Rate CO₂ TEA Lasers

D. B. Cohn, M P Hasselbeck, W P Affleck, R E Eldridge, T P Moser, G R Sasaki, T. A Watson, P. J. Bailey

Proceedings Volume 1042, CO2 Lasers and Applications; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.951263
Event: OE/LASE '89, 1989, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

CO₂ TEA lasers have been extensively developed at Hughes for a number of important military applications, including chemical defense, long range rangefinders, and uplink guidance control of projectiles. The devices are characterized by highly compact geometries using hermetically sealed, closed cycle gas flow with catalysts. Repetition rates are on the order of 200 Hz and output energies range from 100 mJ to to 300 mJ per pulse. Total prototype laser package volume and weight at the higher output energies is on the order of 1.5 ft³ and 40 pounds, respectively, and includes all components, requiring only an external source of 28 VDC. shot lifetimes have been achieved in closed cycle operation with room temperature catalysts for both the normal and ¹³C¹⁶0₂ isotopes. Wavelength tunability over 60 lines in the R and P branches of the 9.4 and 10.6 μm bands has been shown with emphasis on the 9P(42) line (of interest in chemical defense) where 170 mJ was obtained in multi-mode output. Rapid switching among lines at 10 Hz was achieved and extension in this rate by at least an order of magnitude is in progress.

Citation Download Citation

D. B. Cohn, M P Hasselbeck, W P Affleck, R E Eldridge, T P Moser, G R Sasaki, T. A Watson, and P. J. Bailey "Compact High Repetition Rate CO₂ TEA Lasers", Proc. SPIE 1042, CO2 Lasers and Applications, (28 July 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.951263

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