Alpha high-power chemical laser program

Richard A. Ackerman; David Callahan; Anthony J. Cordi; Henry Lurie; Matthew Thomson

doi:10.1117/12.204938

31 March 1995 Alpha high-power chemical laser program

Richard A. Ackerman, David Callahan, Anthony J. Cordi, Henry Lurie, Matthew Thomson

Proceedings Volume 2502, Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers: Tenth International Symposium; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.204938
Event: Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers: Tenth International Symposium, 1994, Friedrichshafen, Germany

Abstract

Alpha is a megawatt-class hydrogen fluoride, continuous wave, space based chemical laser brassboard which demonstrates and validates technology for space-based applications. It consists of a cylindrical gain generator that exhausts radially outward through circumferential nozzles forming an annular lasing media and an annular ring resonator, which extracts the laser energy. Technical innovations first demonstrated on Alpha include: (1) use of extruded aluminum components, (2) diamond turned, annular optics made of molybdenum, (3) uncooled silicon mirrors, (4) light weight optical benches, and (5) active alignment. Alpha first lased in 1989, and has repeatably demonstrated megawatt-class power and excellent beam quality. Using Alpha, TRW has demonstrated the use of low weight uncooled mirrors in very high power lasers to reduce system jitter. They have performed flawlessly and beam jitter levels were significantly reduced.

Citation Download Citation

Richard A. Ackerman, David Callahan, Anthony J. Cordi, Henry Lurie, and Matthew Thomson "Alpha high-power chemical laser program", Proc. SPIE 2502, Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers: Tenth International Symposium, (31 March 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.204938

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available