A high power 12.08μm NH
3 laser optically pumped by a TEA CO
2Iaser was developed for UF
6laser isotope separation. A rectangular metai waveguide was used to confine efficiently the energy of the pumping CO
2 laser. The output energy of 50 mJ (500kW) with the energy conversion efficiency of about 2% was obtained. The NH
3pressure 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 CF
4 laser with the similar waveguide system was also developed. The output energy of 5mJ was obtained.
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