Generation of high-energy subnanosecond pulses by solid-state lasers

Laser-Fusion Program Semiannual Report: January--June 1972.

“…Single 1/2-mJ, 3-nsec pulses have been switched out of a mode-locked C0 2 TEA oscillator with pulse extinction ratios of 900:1.…”

“…(2) A planar diode with a flat dispenser cathode and a transparent mesh extractor anode. (3) A tetrode gun with thoriated tungsten wire cathode.…”

“…• Three major technical aspects of using laser fusion in CTR power production are being investigated: (I) laser pulse generation and target (pellet) irradiation, (2) design and operation of the fusion-fuel combustion chamber, and (3) conversion of the fusion microexplosion energy into electricity. These areas are discussed here, including a design concept for the combustion chamber.…”

“…Mode-locked YAG oscillators produce bandwidth-limited pulses of about 30 psec time duration. The time duration of the pulses from such an oscillator can be varied from 30 psec to I nsec, it has been reported, 2 by using bandwidth-limiting etalons in the oscillator cavity.…”

“…28) will be a C0 2 gain of 4 X 10 5 in energy for a single 1/2-mJ light oscillator-amplifier chain which uill provide an overall pulse. This system will allow us to gain experience with short-pulse CO, systems and should, through the process of solving the inevitable problems, provide a basis for building larger systems.…”