TEA Laser Medium Diagnostics

Abstract
From an interferometric study of the medium in a 10.6‐μ transverse electric discharge pulsed laser amplifier, a time history of the index of refraction is presented from t=0 to t=21.5 μsec. These data agree favorably with the predictions based on a linearized hydrodynamic model for pulsed heat deposition in a gas by a row of discrete discharge pins. The spatial extent of the gain profile is comparable to the refractive‐index distribution for times appropriate for lasing (<10 μsec). In this time interval, medium distortion is less than 0.1 fringe at 10.6 μ.

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