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The phase-sensitive 3.39 μm Doppler interferometer is designed to make relative optical phase measurements by permitting measurements of optical phase independent of the source amplitude fluctuations. This interferometer utilizes a Doppler shifting technique to produce relative optical path length information from the optical component under test. This information is in the form of phase differences between two audio frequencies. These phase differences are sensed and displayed by a high-resolution zero crossing electronic phase meter. The phase angle displayed is directly correlated with the optical phase difference between the sample and the reference beam. Normal laboratory environment accuracy of the instrument is λ/16 at 3.39 μm.

Measurements of the effects of a weak axial magnetic field on the output energy of a CuCl double-pulse laser have been made. It was anticipated that the application of a weak 290-G magnetic field could serve to stabilize the discharge in the laser tube and to, therefore, increase the output energy of the laser. Such increases were observed for large values of the delay time between the two successive electrical discharges but not for the optimum delay of 175 μsec, and a reduction in the output of the laser occurs for very small time delays. The mechanism by which the magnetic field enhances (or reduces) the laser output is not presently well understood but two alternatives are discussed.

Measurements of the longitudinal distributions of Zn and F atoms in a positive-column helium discharge tube have been made using ZnF2 as a source in a conventional appendage reservoir. It has been shown that while the cataphoresis of Zn+ ions is mainly responsible for determining the Zn longitudinal distribution, the cataphoresis of F− ions probably formed by capture of free electrons from the discharge by F atoms strongly influences the distribution of F atoms. The application of metal-fluoride–noble-gas discharges to further metal-vapor laser research is discussed.