Pumping a photolytic laser utilizing a plasma pinch

摘要

A preconditioning beam is used to excite gas particles preferentially along a channel between two electrodes in a laser chamber. The preconditioning beam may be an electron beam or a laser beam. An electrical discharge between the electrodes is conducted along the channel by the excited gas particles to form a gas embedded plasma pinch. Depending on the profile of the discharge, the pinch may be stable or collapsing. The pinch emits vacuum ultraviolet radiation which photodissociates molecules of the photolytic laser medium confined by the chamber. The dissociation creates a population inversion, initiating lasing activity. A resonator system reflects the developing laser pulse back and forth through the chamber to stimulate further emissions and facilitate pulse amplification. The developed pulse is transmitted by appropriate means.