Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-skm99 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-29T19:03:34.581Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Nuclear-powered laser beam profile control method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

M. Petra
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Fusion Studies Laboratory, Urbana, IL 61801
G.H. Miley
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Fusion Studies Laboratory, Urbana, IL 61801

Abstract

The control of the extracted beam quality of a nuclear-pumped laser is a major issue. One possible control method involves changing the spatial power deposition profile, which is a function of the gas pressure and the pumping mechanism. Thus, we proposed a combined He-3 and wall coating (e.g., B-10 or U-235) technique. Then, the pump power deposition profile can be adjusted by varying the He-3 partial pressure. To examine this technique, measurements are being performed with an in-core cell by imaging the radiation-induced fluorescence onto a linear diode array located some distance from the cell. Results from these measurements are presented and other related issues such as gas dynamics, index of refraction effects, and efficient beam extraction from a large-volume cavity are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Guyot, J. et al. 1972 Nucl. Sci. Eng. 48, 373.Google Scholar
Miley, G. 1971 Direct Conversion of Nuclear Radiation Energy (American Nuclear Society, Hinsdale, IL), pp. 99, 468.Google Scholar
Miley, G.H. & Verdeyen, J.T. 1970 Technical Progress Report AEC C00–2007–5 (University of Illinois Nuclear Engineering Program, Urbana, IL).Google Scholar
Neal, D.R. et al. 1990 Optic. Eng. 29, 1404.Google Scholar
Neuman, W.A. & Fincke, J.R. 1991 J. Appl. Phys. 69, 6789.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shaban, Y. & Miley, G.H. 1992 In Proceedings of Japan-US Seminar on Physics of High Power Laser Matter Interactions, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 3542.Google Scholar
Torczynski, J.R. 1989 J. Fluid Mech.. 201, 167.Google Scholar
Verdeyen, J.T. 1989. Laser Electronics (Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ), p. 111.Google Scholar
Wilson, J.W. & Deyoung, R.J. 1978 J. Appl. Phys. 49, 980.Google Scholar