Simulations for transversely diode-pumped metastable rare gas lasers

Gao, Jun; He, Yongle; Sun, Pengfei; Zhang, Zhifan; Wang, Xinbing; Zuo, Duluo

doi:10.1364/josab.34.000814

Cited by 16 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Figure b shows the variation of G o and the estimated [Ar(1s 5 )], which extends well above 10 13 cm –3 for Ar fractions of 5–15%. Models typically predict greatly increased laser efficiency and power scaling potential when the discharge-generated Ar metastable number density exceeds 10 13 cm –3 . − The optimization near 10% Ar is somewhat unexpected, based on previous evaluations of the energy transfer kinetics at 1 atm which indicated 4–5% Ar as an optimal composition.…”

Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present work was not designed to explore aspects of electrical and optical–optical efficiency relevant to advanced power scaling of the DPRGL system. These have been examined in detail in previous modeling publications as noted in the Introduction. − However, the diode-pumped lasing experiments suggest an interesting trend in argon metastable utilization within the pump/lase cycle. For the observed Ar(1s 5 ) number densities and gas flow rates, the effective Ar(1s 5 ) power in the flow is on the order of 5 to 10 mW within the microplasma volume.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Relevant prior research includes investigations of collisional state-to-state energy transfer kinetics, , collisional line broadening rates, − the kinetics of discharge production of Ar(1s 5 ) metastables, ,− and kinetics-based models of scaling the laser output to elevated powers. − Various laser and discharge design configurations have also been investigated. − In this paper, we describe experimental measurements and kinetics analysis of spatially resolved small-signal gain produced by optical pumping of Ar(1s 5 ) generated in microplasma arrays, as well as diode-pumped lasing, following the transition sequence illustrated in Figure . Analysis of the optical gain results required additional research to characterize the spatially resolved microdischarge temperatures and collisional line-broadening dynamics, and to verify the relevant microplasma spectroscopy and branching ratios; those results are provided in the Supporting Information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Kinetics of Metastable Argon Optical Excitation and Gain in Ar/He Microplasmas

et al. 2023

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The optically pumped rare-gas metastable laser is capable of high-intensity lasing on a broad range of near-infrared transitions for excited-state rare gas atoms (Ar*, Kr*, Ne*, Xe*) diluted in flowing He. The lasing action is generated by photoexcitation of the metastable atom to an upper state, followed by collisional energy transfer with He to a neighboring state and lasing back to the metastable state. The metastables are generated in a high-efficiency electric discharge at pressures of ∼0.4 to 1 atm. The diode-pumped rare-gas laser (DPRGL) is a chemically inert analogue to diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) systems, with similar optical and power scaling characteristics for high-energy laser applications. We used a continuous-wave linear microplasma array in Ar/He mixtures to produce Ar(1s5) (Paschen notation) metastables at number densities exceeding 1013 cm–3. The gain medium was optically pumped by both a narrow-line 1 W titanium-sapphire laser and a 30 W diode laser. Tunable diode laser absorption and gain spectroscopy determined Ar(1s5) number densities and small-signal gains up to ∼2.5 cm–1. Continuous-wave lasing was observed using the diode pump laser. The results were analyzed with a steady-state kinetics model relating the gain and the Ar(1s5) number density.

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Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Kinetics of Metastable Argon Optical Excitation and Gain in Ar/He Microplasmas

et al. 2023

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“…The optically pumped all-rare-gas-laser (OPRGL), proposed by Han and Heaven [1] has been the subject of several recent studies [2][3][4][5][6]. It is kinetically analogous to a diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) [7] with the potential to provide output powers on the order of hundreds of watts per cubic centimeter of the active medium.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As for DPAL, pump sources for an Ar OPRGL have been developed [10,11]. Theoretical estimations [2,3,6] predict an overall efficiency for a CW Ar OPRGL, including discharge requirements, of about 60%, and an optical power conversion efficiency of 55% was realized in the experiments of Rawlins et al [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kinetic analysis of rare gas metastable production and optically pumped Xe lasers

Dem'yanov¹,

Кочетов²,

Mikheyev³

et al. 2018

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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Optically pumped all-rare-gas lasers use metastable rare gas atoms as the lasing species in mixtures with He or Ar buffer gas. The metastables are generated in a glow discharge, and we report model calculations for the optimal production of Ne*, Ar*, Kr* and Xe*. Discharge efficiency was estimated by solving the Boltzmann equation. Laser efficiency, gain and output power of the CW optically pumped Xe laser were assessed as functions of heavier rare gas content, pressure, optical pump intensity and the optical path length. It was found that, for efficient operation the heavier rare gas content has to be of the order of one percent or less, and the total pressure—in the range 0.3–1.5 atm. Output power and specific discharge power increase approximately linearly with pump intensity over the output range from 300–500 W cm−2. Ternary mixtures Xe:Ar:He were found to be the most promising. Total laser efficiency was found to be nearly the same for pumping the 2p8 or 2p9 state, reaching 61%–70% for a pump intensity of ~720 W cm−2 when the Xe fraction was in the range 0.001 ÷ 0.01 and Ar fraction—0.1 ÷ 0.5. However, when the 2p8 state was pumped, the maximum total efficiency occurred at larger pressures than for pumping of the 2p9 state. The discharge power density required to sustain a sufficient Xe* number density was in the range of tens of watts per cubic centimeter for 50% Ar in the mixture.

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