High-power rhodamine 6G laser with an extended service life

A laser was constructed in which rhodamine G dissolved iinisopropyl alcohol was used as the active medium. It was pumped by a coaxial flashlamp and the output energy of the laser was up to 8 J. An investigation was made of the photochemical stability of rhodamine G solutions as a function of the spectral composition of the pump radiation. Optimal selection of the solvent and of a filter through which the pump radiation was passed, and the use of previously tested components ensured that the service life was superior to that of similar lasers; practically no maintenance was needed during operation. The operating characteristics of the laser and the dynamics of their changes over a period of three years of its use in applications were recorded. When the output energy was ~5 J per pulse, the laser could emit 1.5×10³ pulses without dismantling and replacement of the active medium and this represented an integrated irradiance of the active medium in excess of 2 kJ/cm³.