Nitrogen laser action with supersonic flow

Abstract

Lasing action is electrically induced in a supersonic flow of nitrogen gas, resulting in an increase in pulse repetition rate to a new order.

Having disclosed my invention, I claim: 
     
       1. The method of light generation by stimulated emission of radiation in an optical cavity which comprises the steps of: first, passing a supersonic flow of the working medium in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the cavity, and   second, electrically pumping the medium to induce lasing action.   
     
     
       2. The method of light generation in accordance with claim 1 in which the working medium is nitrogen. 
     
     
       3. The method of light generation in accordance with claim 1 in which the electrical pumping is by electrostatic energy discharge. 
     
     
       4. The method in accordance with claim 3 in which the electrostatic discharge is at a high repetition rate. 
     
     
       5. A high powered laser comprising means including a constricted throat wind tunnel for producing a supersonic flow of a gas working medium,   means defining an optical cavity through which the flow passes, and   means for electrically pumping the medium to induce lasing action.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the working medium is nitrogen gas. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the electrical pumping means comprises an energy storage device and means for repetitively charging and discharging it at a high rate. .[.8. The method of light generation by stimulated emission of radiation in an optical cavity which comprises the steps of: (a) passing a high velocity flow of a gaseous working medium at high pressure in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the cavity; and   (b) producing an electrical discharge through said medium to induce lasing action in said cavity, said discharge extending substantially along the length of the lasing region in said cavity..]. .[.9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein said electrical discharge is produced in the form of pulses at a rate that between each pulse the medium moves a distance downstream greater than the electrode separation distance in said cavity..]. .[.10. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein said velocity is at least sufficient to provide cooling by convection and said pressure   
     
     
        is maintained in excess of two centimeters of mercury..]. .[.11.  A high powered laser comprising: (a) gas supply means including a constricted throat wind tunnel for producing a high velocity flow of a gaseous working medium;   (b) means defining an optical cavity for receiving said medium from said wind tunnel in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said cavity and through which said flow passes; and   (c) means for producing an electrical discharge through said medium and extending substantially along the length of the lasing region in said cavity to induce lasing action in said cavity..]. .[.12. The combination as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for producing said electrical discharge includes further means for producing said discharge in the form of pulses at a rate that between each pulse the medium moves a distance downstream greater than the electrode separation distance in said cavity..]. .[.13. The combination as defined in claim 11 wherein said gas supply means included additional means for providing a pressure in said cavity in excess of two centimeters of mercury and convection cooling in said cavity..].