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Electronic and kinetic processes in the Cu/CuCl double pulse laser

Citation

Kushner, Mark Jay (1979) Electronic and kinetic processes in the Cu/CuCl double pulse laser. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/a9bz-sw68. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07172014-092719903

Abstract

Kinetic and electronic processes in a Cu/CuCl double pulsed laser were investigated by measuring discharge and laser pulse characteristics, and by computer modeling. There are two time scales inherent to the operation of the Cu/CuCl laser. The first is during the interpulse afterglow (tens to hundreds of microseconds). The second is during the pumping pulse (tens of nanoseconds). It was found that the character of the pumping pulse is largely determined by the initial conditions provided by the interpulse afterglow. By tailoring the dissociation pulse to be long and low energy, and by conditioning the afterglow, one may select the desired initial conditions and thereby significantly improve laser performance. With a low energy dissociation pulse, the fraction of metastable copper obtained from a CuCl dissociation is low. By maintaining the afterglow, contributions to the metastable state from ion recombinations are prevented, and the plasma impedance remains low thereby increasing the rate of current rise during the pumping pulse. Computer models for the dissociation pulse, afterglow, pumping pulse and laser pulse reproduced experimentally observed behavior of laser pulse energy and power as a function of time delay, pumping pulse characteristics, and buffer gas pressure. The sensitivity of laser pulse properties on collisional processes (e.g., CuCl reassociation rates) was investigated.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Applied Physics
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Applied Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Culick, Fred E. C.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 May 1979
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:07172014-092719903
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07172014-092719903
DOI:10.7907/a9bz-sw68
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8548
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:17 Jul 2014 16:57
Last Modified:09 Nov 2022 19:20

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