Abstract

Requirements for low cost, miniature, expendable lasers with high performance are difficult to meet using conventional optically pumped solid state lasers. This is largely due to the complexity and inefficiency of electrical storage (battery) and conversion to optical pump radiation (electronics and flashlamp). To overcome this limitation, we have investigated direct chemical to optical conversion of energy as a means of pumping Nd:YAG lasers. Continuous wave laser operation in excess of 2 sec with an average output power of 5 W has been demonstrated with a pyrotechnically pumped Nd:YAG laser.

© 1981 Optical Society of America