Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science (OxCHEDS)

Abstract:

An optically pumped laser that operates in the VUV region of the spectrum with pulse energies in the millijoule range is proposed. The laser is expected to oscillate on ten to 13 new laser lines between 158 and 250 n. The transmission of the F2 pump laser output was measured as a function of NO pressure to deduce the absorption cross section. The absorption was also modeled using spectral rate equations. The model reproduces the observed transmission very well and predicts that the broadening of the absorption line is due to rapid quenching of the upper level. The measurements are not consistent with the results reported by T.J. McKee The predicted upper level population is of the order of 8 × 1014 cm-3 for an NO pressure of 800 mbar, which would give a small signal gain of ≈ 1 cm-1 for the strongest line. On the basis of this it appears to be possible to realize the proposed laser.