Iodine photodissociation laser with plasma mirror

Abstract

First experimental results with a pulsed iodine photodissociation laser controlled by target plasma reflectivity are reported. One of the laser mirrors is substituted for a focusing lens and a solid tilted target is located in its focal region. The laser dynamics depends on the geometry of the set-up. Laser pulse durations from 200 to 5 ns were observed if the resonator length was changed from 2 to 5 meters. Simultaneous mode-locking and Q-switching took place if the resonators were longer than 3 meters. Peak power densities of up to 1011 W/cm2 on the target and about a 1 per cent plasma reflectivity, increasing with increasing power density, were measured. A theoretical explanation of the laser behaviour and a comparison of our observations with previous results obtained with TEA-CO2 and Nd-glass amplifiers are presented.