Pulsed Laser Device Development Program, Diagnostic Techniques for Pulsed Laser Beam Jitter Measurement

Abstract

READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING FORM 1. REPORT NUMBER 2. GOVT ACCESSION NO. 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NUMBER Beam jitter diagnostics were developed and tested on a repped-flowing CO2 e-beam sustainer laser cavity. The limiting source of jitter was found to be due to gas density gradients in the cavity. Both flow-induced gradients and disturbances from the repped discharge contribute. Reduction of the jitter magnitude can be accomplished through temperature control of the gas flow and acoustic suppression.