An expendable flashlamp as an optical pumping source for lasers

A description is given of an expendable flashlamp capable of emitting radiation of 200 J energy which can be used to pump a laser. The source of energy in this lamp is the combustion of zirconium foil in oxygen. This flashlamp can produce stimulated emission from a YAG : Nd³⁺ crystal and the energy of this emission is 1.2 J. The flashlamp may be used in a compact laser with an output energy of several joules.