Discharge Pumped Iodine Monofluoride Laser: Operating Parameters and Collisional Kinetics

Lasing has been observed at five different wavelengths ranging from 472 to 497 nm from discharge pumped iodine monofluoride (IF). At the optimum output coupling 4 mJ was measured in a 30 ns FWHM pulse with a peak power of 140 kW. The merits and deficiencies of both HI and CF(,3)I as iodine donors are discussed. Measurements show the small signal gain to be (GREATERTHEQ) 1% cm('-1) from (TURN) 478 to 497 nm, while much of the absorption is due to excited state of He. Limited line tunability is also demonstrated by using an internally mounted Littrow prism. Quenching measurements of the upper and lower laser level show the lower level to be removed more rapidly, thereby avoiding bottlenecking. In addition, the upper level spontaneous emission lifetime is measured to be 17.2 (+OR-) 4.0 ns. Finally studies of the formation kinetics of the upper laser level of IF have shown I*(('4)P) atoms to be an immediate precursor, while the F*(('4)P) atoms are unimportant.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Dlabal, Michael Lawrence

• Physics, Optics

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8203444

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/66261