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Laser engines operating by resonance absorptionBasic tutorial article on the thermodynamic feasibility of laser engines at the present state of the art. Three main options are considered: (1) laser power applied externally to a heat reservoir (boiler approach); (2) internal heating of working fluid by resonance absorption; and (3) direct conversion of selective excitation into work. Only (2) is considered practically feasible at present. Basic concepts and variants, efficiency relations, upper temperature limits of laser engines, selection of absorbing gases, engine walls, bleaching, thermodynamic cycles of optimized laser engines, laser-powered turbines, laser heat pumps are discussed. Photon engines and laser dissociation engines are also considered.
Document ID
19760047318
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Garbuny, M.
(Westinghouse Research Labs. Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Pechersky, M. J.
(Westinghouse Research Laboratories Pittsburgh, Pa., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Applied Optics
Volume: 15
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Accession Number
76A30284
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS2-8372
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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