Plasmas as Light Sources for Lasers

摘要

This report describes an experimental and analytical investigation of the properties of high intensity, visible wavelength, light sources for optical pumping of pulsed lasers. Background information on research that may be applicable to this problem is presented, the experiment design is outlined and the results of system modelling are detailed. The experimental apparatus, consisting of a Blumlein pulse-forming network and a cylindrical plasma cell load, is described. The instrumentation used for the experiment is discussed, and experimental results are presented, together with a possible explanation of the optical radiation-time history of the plasma. Potential applications are evaluated and future development recommended. (Author)