Parametric investigation of the fission-fragment excited helium/argon laser at 1.79 μm

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Abstract
Characteristics of the fission-fragment excited helium/argon laser operating on the 1.79-μm (3d[1/2]0,10−4p[3/2]1,2 argon transition are presented. Laser output occurs for approximately 80% of the 0.9 to 3 ms full width at half maximum thermal neutron pump pulse. Output power efficiency optimizes for a total gas pressure of 760 Torr and argon concentration of 0.3% to 2.0%. Power efficiency was 1.4%±0.4% for instantaneous pump rates of 45 to 230 W/cm3. The small signal gain and saturation intensity for instantaneous pump rates of 30 to 90 W/cm3 are 0.55% to 1.05%/cm and 70 to 110 W/cm2, respectively. The laser threshold as a function of helium pressure and argon concentration will be presented. The advantages of fission-fragment excitation in predominantly helium gas mixtures will be discussed.