The LASL program in nuclear pumped liquid lasers

The development of nuclear-pumped, liquid-based lanthanide ion lasers is discussed. Early investigations of lanthanide ion lasers have lead to solid-state and gaseous neodymium lasers, and a demonstration of lasing in the liquid state. Solvents containing organic chelating agents have been employed in liquid Eu(+3) and Tb(+3) lasers to extend fluorescence lifetimes, however aprotic solvents have been found to enable the development of large-scale liquid lasers. The advantages to be gained from high-power nuclear-pumped lasers based on lanthanide solutions include the high density of fissile materials possible, and a nuclear pumping cell which can operate in either a nuclear or optical pumping mode is being fabricated at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to investigate the nuclear pumping of liquid lanthanide ion lasers. Areas that need exploration before specific laser design features can be considered include energy channeling within the liquid upon excitation, radiation damage due to solvent dissociation, and reactor technology for the development of a self-critical liquid reactor.