Inductive HF laser
Results of experimental investigations of dependence of energy, temporal, spectral, and spatial characteristics of inductive HF laser generation on pumping conditions are presented. Gas mixture of hydrogen with F2 or NF3 or SF6 and their mixtures with helium and neon were used as an active medium. A maximum generation energy of 19 mJ in a gas mixture He :H2 : NF3 - 45 :1 : 4 under pressure of 42 Torr has been achieved. Pulse duration (FWHM) was 0.42 ms that corresponded to a pulse peak power of 45 kW. Spectral composition of inductive HF laser generation has been investigated for the first time. Lasing spectrum consisted of seven groups of bands near 2732, 2763, 2798, 2835, 2873, 2893, and 2913 nm. Lasing shape had a ring form with diameter of about 20 mm and thickness of 4-5 mm. The laser had high stability when operating in pulse periodic regime. The light pulse amplitude divergence was within 5-6%.