Investigation of possibilities for solar-powered high-energy lasers in space

Solar pumped lasers were investigated. The literature was reviewed for possible solar laser candidates from optical pumping experiments. A baseline CO electric discharge laser system was shown to be technically feasible. The most promising direct solar pumped laser was identified to be CF3I. Using the 'STAG' solar laser concept and CF3I, it was found that such a system could be weight competitive with the baseline CO laser system.