Method and system for neutralization of buried mines

摘要

A system for neutralizing a buried mine includes a laser that is configured to generate laser energy that communicates through the covering ground material and accesses the mine in a manner sufficient to neutralize the mine. Neutralization can occur by deflagration or detonation. The laser includes a solid-state lasing medium that is run substantially uncooled during the lasing run. Namely, the lasing medium is operated without cooling until the lasing medium reaches a temperature where thermal population in a lower laser level begins to significantly lower inversion density. Following completion of the lasing run, the lasing medium is cooled at a rate limited only by a thermal stress fracture level of the lasing medium. Operation of the laser in this manner permits the laser to deliver high-irradiance, high-repetition rate pulses according to a burst mode operation that successfully accomplishes neutralization in a desired time period. The burst mode also facilitates preferential selection of the mechanism of laser energy-material interaction to promote rapid penetration rates.