Development of Self Q-Switching Glass Laser Illuminator Head

摘要

The Research and Development program which resulted in the development of a Nd(3+) doped Self Q-switching Glass Laser Illuminator Oscillator is described. Research studies undertaken in this program included an evaluation of some new self Q-switching glass compositions, a study of the effects of relatively high input powers on the laser output beamspread and efficiency, and a study of the temperature dependence of the characteristics of the laser self Q-switching train of spikes and efficiency over the temperature range 12C through 50C. In another study it was found that the thermal fracture point of untreated self Q-switching glass laser rods is roughly about a factor of 1.7 times less than that for the untreated conventional laser glass of similar composition. The laser illuminator oscillator developed and delivered to Fort Belvoir is described. Included is a description of the highly efficient and flexible imaging type water cooled laser cavity structure. (Author)