Professor Simon Hooker

Abstract:

We report an investigation of a high-pressure molecular fluorine laser operating at 158 nm. Several cavity configurations were studied, including one employing a roof prism as the high reflector. A maximum VUV pulse energy of 237 mJ, corresponding to a specific output of 3.3 J/1 was obtained when the laser was operated as a double-ended device. With single-ended operation the largest output energy was 176 mJ at a specific output of 2.5 J/1. © 1992 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

We have observed laser oscillation on the B’2Δ-X2n (3-10) and (3-11) transitions of an F2 laser pumped nitric oxide laser. The maximum total output pulse energy was 280μJ. We present here the results of an investigation to determine the maximum intra-cavity loss which still allows laser oscillation to occur in this system. This information has been used to find the effective gain coefficient of the NO laser, operating on the B’2Δ-X2n (3-10) transition at 218 nm by applying the condition for cw laser oscillation. The effective cw gain coefficient was found to be 0.25 cm-1 for pump laser intensities of 20 MWcrrr2. © 1992 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

We report investigations of an NO laser employing specially profiled magnetic fields of up to 3.4T, and F2 pump laser intensities as great as 20 MW cm-2. We have observed laser oscillation at 226 nm on a rotational branch of the B'-X/it(3-11) band of NO for the first time, in addition to the previously reported oscillation at 218 nm on the B'-X/it(3-10) band. We have also observed visible laser emission on a rotational branch of the B′2Δ-B2II(3-1) band of NO. Saturation of the NO laser pulse energy with pump intensity has been observed, the total NO laser pulse energy having been increased to 490 μJ. The possibility of increasing the NO laser pulse energy towards 1 mJ per transition is discussed. © 1992 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract:

We have recently proposed a scheme to produce coherent radiation at eight or more wavelengths between 158 and 242 nm by optically pumping a high-lying electronic level of nitric oxide. We report here the successful operation of this scheme to produce laser oscillation at 218 nm. The possibility of using this scheme to produce laser oscillation at other wavelengths is discussed.