High power photolytic iodine laser

A continuous wave photolytic iodine laser comprising:

• a rectangular gain cell at least ten inches long for receiving a continuous supply of gaseous fuel, having, an optical axis;
• beam transfer optics, a laser resonator for shaping a laser beam, at least one lamp positioned along the optical axis, and a fuel inlet and exit;
• a microwave subsystem in communication with the gain cell for driving the lamp, such that, a laser gain medium is pumped through the gain cell causing a lasing process to occur;
• the microwave subsystem being mounted to a swing arm which is hingedly connected to a support surface;
• and
• a closed-loop fuel system for continuously presenting gaseous fuel to the gain cell, including:
• a fuel inlet conduit having, an inner diameter of at least six inches in communication with the gain cell for receiving and presenting gaseous fuel to the gain cell inlet;
• a condenser in communication with the fuel cell outlet for converting the gaseous fuel to a liquid;
• a scrubber in communication with the condenser for removing any by-products of the lasing process from the liquefied fuel thereby purifying and preparing the fuel for recycling back to the gain cell;
• pumping means interposed between the scrubber and the condenser for pressurizing and pumping the liquefied fuel;
• a heater interposed between the scrubber and the pumping means for heating the liquefied fuel;
• an evaporator in communication with the scrubber for receiving and converting the purified liquid fuel to a gas, thereby causing a further increase in pressure which forces the gaseous fuel through the gain cell;
• the condenser, pumping means, heater, scrubber, and evaporator being interconnected by conduit having en inner diameter greater than one half inch;
• an orifice plate having a plurality of apertures and a conductance of 500, interposed between the fuel inlet member and the evaporator;
• said closed loop fuel system pressure causes the gaseous fuel to flow through the gain cell at such a rate as to entrain substantially all of the by-products of the lasing process and transport them out of the gain cell thereby preventing quenching of the lasing process.

A photolytic iodine laser comprising:

• a gain cell including a resonator defining an interior cavity and having opposed ends and an optical axis beam transfer optics connected to the opposed ends of the resonator in line with the optical axis;
• at least one lamp attached to the resonator and in communication with the cavity, a fuel inlet in gaseous communication with the cavity for receiving a supply of gaseous fuel, and a fuel exit in communication with the cavity;
• a microwave subsystem in communication with the gain cell for driving the lamp, such that, a laser gain medium is pumped through the gain cell causing a lasing process to occur;
• and
• a closed-loop fuel system for continuously presenting gaseous fuel to the gain cell, including:
• a condenser in communication with the fuel exit for converting the gaseous fuel to a liquid;
• a molecular sieve bed in communication with the condenser for removing any by-products of the lasing process from the liquefied fuel thereby purifying and preparing the fuel for recycling back to the gain cell;
• pumping means interposed between the molecular sieve bed and the condenser for pressurizing and pumping the liquefied fuel;
• and
• an evaporator in communication with the molecular sieve bed for receiving and converting the purified liquid fuel to a gas, thereby causing a further increase in pressure which forces the gaseous fuel through the gain cell.