Applications of the chemical oxygen-iodine laser

W. Pete Latham; Kip R. Kendrick; Brian Quillen

doi:10.1117/12.375178

14 January 2000 Applications of the chemical oxygen-iodine laser

W. Pete Latham, Kip R. Kendrick, Brian Quillen

Proceedings Volume 3887, High-Power Lasers in Civil Engineering and Architecture; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.375178
Event: Advanced High-Power Lasers and Applications, 1999, Osaka, Japan

Abstract

The Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser (COIL) has been developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory for military applications. For example, the COIL is to be use as the laser device for the ABL. A high power laser is useful for applications that require the delivery of a substantial amount of energy to a very small focused laser spot. The COIL is a member of the class of high power lasers that are also useful for industrial applications, including the materials processing task of high speed cutting and drilling. COIL technology has received considerable interest over the last several years due to its short, fiber- deliverable wavelength, scalability to very high powers, and demonstrated nearly diffraction-limited optical quality. These unique abilities make it an ideal candidate for nuclear reactor decommissioning and nuclear warhead dismantlement. Japanese researchers envision using a COIL for disaster cleanup and survivor rescue. It is also being studied by the oil and gas industry for well drilling. Any commercial or industrial application that requires very rapid, precise, and noninvasive cutting or drilling, could be readily accomplished with a COIL. Because of the substantial power levels available with a COIL, the laser could also be used for broad area applications such as paint stripping. This paper includes a collection of experiments accomplished at the Air Force Research Laboratory Chemical Laser Facility, including metal cutting, hole drilling, high power fiber optic transmission, and rock crushing.

Citation Download Citation

W. Pete Latham, Kip R. Kendrick, and Brian Quillen "Applications of the chemical oxygen-iodine laser", Proc. SPIE 3887, High-Power Lasers in Civil Engineering and Architecture, (14 January 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.375178

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