In this paper, we introduce an analytical model for the temperature distribution of a diode side-pumped Nd:YAG laser rod by considering a Gaussian pump profile, taking into account the dependence of thermal conductivity on temperature. The stress and strain components are then derived by considering the dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient on the temperature. Our analytical model shows a very good agreement with numerical results. The maximum relative error, when compared with numerical results, is about 0.2 and 2.0% at the center of a laser rod for temperature and stress respectively.

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In this paper, the influence of heating and cooling samples on the optical emission spectra and plasma parameters of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for Titanium 64, Inconel 718 super alloys, and Aluminum 6061 alloy is investigated. Samples are uniformly heated up to approximately 200°C and cooled down to -78°C by an external heater and liquid nitrogen, respectively. Variations of plasma parameters like electron temperature and electron density with sample temperature are determined by using Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening methods, respectively. Heating the samples improves LIBS signal strength and broadens the width of the spectrum. On the other hand, cooling alloys causes fluctuations in the LIBS signal and decrease it to some extent, and some of the spectral peaks diminish. In addition, our results show that electron temperature and electron density depend on the sample temperature variations.

A newly developed condensation particle counter provides measurements of aerosol particle number densities for size diameters as low as 3 nm. This Expansion Condensation Particle Counter (ECPC) operates based on fast adiabatic expansion with specialized detection and evaluation of the temporal development of light scattered by the ensemble of growing droplets. In its new configuration the ECPC has been modified such that a previously needed calibration factor became obsolete. In this article the new design is described which now includes a fast pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure drop inside the measurement chamber. Extensive laboratory experiments for characterizing the ECPC are described where sulfuric acid droplets with diameters between ∼2.5 nm and 23 nm have been utilized. Water as well as butanol are demonstrated to be suitable working fluids. One experiment using tungsten oxide (WOx) particles shows that a 50% cut-off size diameter as low as 2. We are thankful for the careful and diligent reviews of two anonymous reviewers, as well as for the extraordinary helpful comments of our editors, Rick Flagan and Susanne Hering.Address correspondence to Hossein Saghafifar, Isfahan University, Physics Department, 81746 Isfahan, Iran. E-mail: saghafifar1@ yahoo.com using various condensing liquids in different channels of the ECPC setup.

In this paper, the output characteristics of a UV pin array pre-ionized TEA CO 2 laser have been simulated and compared with the associated experimental data. In our simulation, a new theoretical model has been improved for transient behavior analysis of the discharge current pulse. The laser discharge tube was modeled by a nonlinear RLC electric circuit as a real model for electron density calculation. This model was coupled with a six-temperature model (6TM) in order to simulation dynamic emission processes of the TEA CO 2 laser. The equations were solved numerically by the fourth order Runge-Kutta numerical method and some important variables such as current and voltage of the main discharge, resistance of the plasma column and electron density in the main discharge region, were calculated as functions of time. The effects of non-dissociation factor, rotational quantum number and output coupler reflectivity were also studied theoretically. The experimental and simulation results are in good agreement.