New photographic system for investigating characteristics of infrared laser radiation

An experimental investigation was made of the use of a semiconductor ionization-type photographic system in recording infrared laser radiation pulses. Semiinsulating gallium arsenide, exhibiting photoconductivity in the wavelength range 0.8–1.7 μ, was used as the photodector. The system included a gas-discharge gap ≈60 μ thick and the air pressure in the gap was ~100 Torr. Image was recorded on an RF-3 photographic film. The study was carried out on laser pulses of 60 μsec duration and λ=1.315 μ wavelength. The parameters of the system were as follows: the minimum recordable energy density was 5×10^–7 J/cm², the dynamic range was at least 300, and the resolution was ~7 mm^–1.