Microwave Interferometric Measurements of Electron Density in Lasing Alkali-Rare Gas Mixtures

The proposed program will design a microwave interferometer for the purpose of measuring the electron density and other fundamental parameters of Diode-Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) gain media. Although several models of the collisional chemistry of DPALs exist, benchmarking such models with experimental measurements has been hampered by the absence of experimental measurements of the electron density, in particular. The measurement of the electron density and other parameters such as ion recombination lifetimes is also essential for optimizing laser performance. Consequently, a microwave interferometer (and associated optics and electronics) capable of measuring the electron density and other, fundamental collisional constants in DPAL laser media over a wide parameter space will be designed in the proposed program. Approved for Public Release | 22-MDA-11339 (13 Dec 22)