Abstract
A high power 12.08μm NH3 laser optically pumped by a TEA CO2Iaser was developed for UF6laser isotope separation. A rectangular metai waveguide was used to confine efficiently the energy of the pumping CO2 laser. The output energy of 50 mJ (500kW) with the energy conversion efficiency of about 2% was obtained. The NH3pressure dependence of the output energy and the characteristics of the polarization of the laser light were studied, and lasing mechanism was discussed from laser pulse shapes.
A 16μm CF4 laser with the similar waveguide system was also developed. The output energy of 5mJ was obtained.
