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Lasers
^ Bench Top Cylindrical Laser
L. H. Sentman*
Schafer Corp.

Preliminary estimates indicate that, using four discharge tubes, it may be possible to operate a bench top cylindrical HF laser with an outer ring diameter of 6 inches with a 30-cm. gain length using the existing University of Illinois vacuum system. This design is being pursued to determine its feasibility.

^ Compound Wave Effects in Ring Resonators
L. H. Sentman,* R. G. Wright, J. F. Padilla
Schafer Corp.

An analytical model developed for TRW indicates that a reverse wave with as little as one part in 104 to 106 of the output power of a ring resonator may have a large effect on the output power of the ring resonator. A ring resonator, which duplicates the resonator used in the analytical model as closely as is practical experimentally, will be set up on the University of Illinois cw supersonic HF laser. The effect of the reverse wave on the performance of the ring resonator will be characterized as a function of the strength of the reverse wave.

^ Effect of Probe Beam Mode Structure on Measurement of Zero Power Gain
L. H. Sentman,* A. C. Duus, R. G. Wright, J. F. Padilla, G. L. Detweiler
TRW

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the mode structure of the probe beam on the measurement of the zero power amplification ratios of a cw HF chemical laser. There was good agreement between the amplification ratios measured as a function of vertical position using a single line, single longitudinal mode, TEM00 probe beam and those measured using a multiline, multiple longitudinal mode, multiple transverse mode probe beam. This agreement showed the measurement of zero power amplification ratios is independent of the mode structure of the probe beam.

^ Feasibility of HF Chain Laser Operation
L. H. Sentman,* G. L. Detweiler
TRW

The data on cw HF chain laser operation are being reviewed and modeled to understand the reasons for the observed performance. This understanding will be used to determine the feasibility of increasing cold reaction cw HF laser performance by operation at conditions conducive to the occurrence of the hot reaction.

^ HF Kinetic Rate Investigation
L. H. Sentman,* J. F. Padilla
TRW

HF kinetic rates are being reviewed and updated to improve the agreement between laser simulations and measured gain and power spectral distributions.

^ High-Energy Laser Systems Technology
W. C. Solomon,* M. Sexauer, J. Verdeyen
AFRL; Prime Contractors

This work involves research into the operation of a large-scale COIL laser for commercial applications. A new laboratory has been constructed for establishing a commercial technology for high-energy lasers. The initial project is the development of a prototype system to be used in laser processing of metals. This problem involves the development of a new laser technology, demonstration at a scaleable power level, and materials processing of lasers operating near 1 micrometer wavelength. Operation of the system demonstrated a kilowatt at 25% chemical efficiency and is being employed to devise new technology solutions to a variety of laser problems.

^ Large-Scale Simulations of Chemical Lasers
W. C. Solomon,* D. Stromberg
ARA/CU Aerospace, AFRL, NASA Space Grant
wsolomon@uiuc.edu

Large 3-D simulations of chemical laser flowfields are being conducted to determine the most efficient configurations of hardware and software for the next generation of computing. Verification of experimental data and earlier, less complex computations is complete, and the system performance is being assessed. The work is being conducted using the reacting flow model provided by the BLAZE and GASP CFD simulations on a variety of parallel and high-speed processors.

^ An Experimental Investigation of the ELECTRICOIL Laser
W. C. Solomon,* M. Sexauer, J. Verdeyen, B. Woodard, S. Zimmer
AFRL/CU Aerospace
wsolomon@uiuc.edu

Research into the potential for development of a new hybrid chemical laser and electric laser concept has provided a significant advance in the field. Basic electric discharge physics and chemical laser technology are being combined to produce a new kind of device. This has the potential to provide high-power laser energy at the 1.3 micrometer wavelength for a variety of applications.


Summary of Engineering Research