Investigation of an iodine laser excited optically by highcurrent plasmadynamic discharges

A study was made of a perfluoropropyl iodide photodissociation laser pumped by the radiation emitted from a localized plasmadynamic discharge of the "plasma focus" type. An erosion magnetoplasma compressor was used as the plasma source. When the electrical energy input was 8 kJ, the specific energy output in the form of stimulated radiation was ~0.1 J/cm³ and the radiation power was ~0.2 MW. Experiments carried out without an illumination enclosure yielded an estimate of the laser efficiency which was ~0.35–0.45%. A comparison was made with a similar flashlamp-pumped laser. The result demonstrated advantages of the use of high-current plasmadynamic discharges for the optical excitation of photodissociation lasers.