Semi-analytical and 3D CFD DPAL modeling: Feasibility of supersonic operation

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23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The feasibility of operating diode pumped alkali lasers (DPALs) with supersonic expansion of the gaseous laser mixture, consisting of alkali atoms, He atoms and (frequently) hydrocarbon molecules, is explored. Taking into account fluid dynamics and kinetic processes, both semi-analytical and three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of supersonic DPALs is reported. Using the semi-analytical model, the operation of supersonic DPALs is compared with that measured and modeled in subsonic lasers for both Cs and K. The maximum power of supersonic Cs and K lasers is found to be higher than that of subsonic lasers with the same resonator and alkali density at the laser inlet by 25% and 70%, respectively. Using the 3D CFD model, the flow pattern and spatial distributions of the pump and laser intensities in the resonator are calculated for Cs DPALs. Comparison between the semi-analytical and 3D CFD models for Cs shows that the latter predicts much larger maximum achievable laser power than the former. These results indicate that for scaling-up the power of DPALs, supersonic expansion should be considered.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHigh Energy/Average Power Lasers and Intense Beam Applications VII
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9780819498755
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014
EventHigh Energy/Average Power Lasers and Intense Beam Applications VII - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: 2 Feb 20144 Feb 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8962
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceHigh Energy/Average Power Lasers and Intense Beam Applications VII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period2/02/144/02/14

Keywords

  • Alkali atoms
  • Diode pumping
  • Gas flow
  • Gas lasers
  • Supersonic flow

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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