Theoretical and experimental studies of optically pumped molecular gas lasers

Optically pumped molecular gas lasers based on vibrational-rotational transitions in the infrared spectral region were studied experimentally and theoretically. A model was developed to predict the performance of such lasers and explore their potentials for energy and power scaling. This rate equation model was applied to explore the performance of a second-overtone (pulsed) and a first-overtone (CW) pumped HBr laser. Experimental improvements concerning temperature spectral tuning and frequency stabilization of a Nd:YAG laser that pumped HBr were accomplished. Lasing at 4 microns was demonstrated from such a system. We identified acetylene and hydrogen cyanide as potential laser gases that can be pumped with lasers emitting in the attractive telecommunication C band region at about 1.5 microns. Estimations and fluorescence measurements suggest the possibility of lasing in the 3 micron region. Lasing was demonstrated for the first time with a 5 ns pump pulse from an optical parametric oscillator using traditional cavities. The first gas filled hollow fiber laser based on population inversion was demonstrated with acetylene and emission in the 3 micron region was observed. An analytical model indicates the possibility of CW lasing with small Stokes shift in both acetylene and HCN.

Name thesis:degree_name

Optical Science and Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Optical Science and Engineering

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Amarin, Ratanavis

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wolfgang, Rudolph
• Mansoor, Sheik-Bahae
• Sanjay, Krishna
• Paul, Schwoebel

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ose_etds/2

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalrepository.unm.edu:ose_etds-1001