Iodine photodissociative pulse-repetitive laser: problems of efficiency

We present results of R & D of an iodine photodissociative pulse-repetitive flash-lamp pumped laser with average power approximately 500 W and discuss some problems of its efficiency and scaling. The main problems are follow efficiency of lamp pumping, energetic efficiency of iodine laser, energetic possibilities of active medium and its optical quality, and the closed loop of active medium. In conclusion, the energetic possibilities of developed pulse repetitive laser are discussed, as are some prospects for the near future.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.