Lasers from fissionThe feasibility of the nuclear pumping of lasers was demonstrated in three experiments conducted independently at three different laboratories. In this context nuclear pumping of lasers is understood to be the excitation of a laser by the kinetic energy of the fission fragments only. A description is given of research concerned with the use of nuclear energy for the excitation of gas lasers. Experimental work was supplemented by theoretical research. Attention is given to a nuclear pumped He-Xe laser, a nuclear pumped CO laser, and a neon-nitrogen laser pumped by alpha particles. Studies involving uranium hexafluoride admixture to laser media are discussed along with research on uranium hexafluoride-fueled reactors.
Document ID
19750061746
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Schneider, R. T. (U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research, London, United Kingdom)
Thom, K. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Helmick, H. H. (California, University Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)