EFFECT OF GAIN LENGTH ON HYDROGEN-FLUORIDE CHEMICAL-LASER AMPLIFIER PERFORMANCE

An amplifier performance model that predicts a device's amplifier perf ormance given the device's oscillator performance as a function of ref lectivity was developed. Excellent agreement between single pass model predictions and single pass experimental data was obtained. The model was used to predict amplifier performance as the gain length was scal ed from 0.3 to 4 m for three different lasers. When the amplifier perf ormance curve is plotted in terms of nondimensional powers zeta(out) v s zeta(in), gain length dependent, device independent curves result. T he nondimensional amplifier performance curve showed that, with a sing le pass amplifier, one 0.3-m oscillator may be able to drive three amp lifiers and one 4-m oscillator might be able to drive eight amplifiers . These results, which are independent of device, are sensitive to the oscillator power vs reflectivity performance curve in the 0-20% refle ctivity range.