Abstract

The problem of early termination of laser action in flashlamp pumped dye lasers is investigated. It is found that in high power, short pulse duration systems shock waves are created in the dye solution. Index inhomogeneities in the laser medium are created, and these lead to the termination of laser action. The velocity of propagation of the disturbance is measured. Some possibilities concerning the origin of these shock waves are examined. A design scheme that overcomes the effect of the disturbance in short pulse (≤5 μsec) systems is described.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Vortex Stabilized Flashlamps for Dye Laser Pumping

M. E. Mack
Appl. Opt. 13(1) 46-55 (1974)

Prepulse Enhancement of Flashlamp Pumped Dye Laser

Michael H. Ornstein and Vernon E. Derr
Appl. Opt. 13(9) 2100-2104 (1974)

Coaxial Marx-Bank Driver and Flashlamp for Optical Excitation of Organic Dye Lasers

Theodore F. Ewanizky and Roland H. Wright
Appl. Opt. 12(1) 120-122 (1973)

Dye Lasers--a Classified Bibliography 1966–1972

G. Magyar
Appl. Opt. 13(1) 25-45 (1974)

Lasing Characteristics of Seventeen Visible-Wavelength Dyes Using a Coaxial-Flashlamp-Pumped Laser

J. B. Marling, J. G. Hawley, E. M. Liston, and W. B. Grant
Appl. Opt. 13(10) 2317-2320 (1974)