Maksim V. Trigub

This work investigates an MnBr ₂ –Ne–HBr source driven by a semiconductor linear-transformer-driver (LTD) excitation system as a radiation source for differential-absorption sensing and high-speed optical diagnostics. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first implementation of a manganese-halide laser source of this type using semiconductor pumping. Stable operation was achieved at 75 and 125 kHz, with average total output powers of 250 and 200 mW, respectively. A pronounced pulse repetition frequency (PRF)-dependent spectral transformation was observed: simultaneous visible and near-infrared emission at 75 kHz changed to an IR-dominated regime at 125 kHz, where the spectrum effectively collapsed to two principal lines, 1291.37 and 1333.03 nm, with the 1291.37 nm line remaining dominant. Comparison with tacitron-based excitation shows comparable average output power at 125 kHz despite lower specific input energy and lower maximum electric-field strength, together with improved shot-to-shot energy stability. These results indicate that high-PRF semiconductor pumping can serve not only as a compact excitation architecture for manganese-halide media, but also as an effective means of selecting a dual-line near-IR regime of interest for differential-absorption measurements. The present work therefore establishes a source-level and spectroscopy-level feasibility basis for prospective water-vapor DIAL/IPDA applications, while dedicated wavelength-stability and retrieval-validation measurements remain to be performed.

A double-pulse operating mode of a CuBr+Ne+HBr laser was experimentally investigated using a specially developed excitation system based on two high-voltage pulse generators with independently adjustable temporal and energy parameters. The system enabled the generation of excitation pulse pairs with a controllable delay and made it possible to study the conditions required for stable formation of two laser pulses within a single burst. Particular attention was paid to the output characteristics of this operating mode in a large-volume active element with an active length of 90 cm and a inner diameter of 5 cm. It was shown that the delay between the pumping pulses, the ratio of their energies, and the operating conditions of the active element determine the amplitudes of both laser pulses and allow equal-amplitude pulse generation to be achieved. A stable double-pulse operating mode was obtained at a burst repetition rate of about 12 kHz and an intra-burst pulse repetition frequency of up to 12 MHz, corresponding to an inter-pulse delay of about 85 ns. The minimum experimentally achieved delay was 72 ns, corresponding to 14 MHz. The average output power in the equal-amplitude double-pulse operating mode reached 7.8 W, while the maximum output power was 8.5 W. The amplitude of each laser pulse was found to depend on the ratio of the excitation pulse energies. The recorded spatial intensity distributions of the two pulses indicate that the double-pulse operating mode is associated with a nonuniform radial contribution of the active medium to the formation of the first and second pulses. These results are of interest for high-speed imaging applications.

This paper presents the development and investigation of a compact high-frequency copper bromide vapor laser system (CuBr laser) powered by a linear transformer driver (LTD) excitation source. The laser operates at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 50 kHz with a gas-discharge tube (GDT) active volume of 0.115 L and achieves an output power of up to 6.5 W. The lasing pulse is shaped by a plane-parallel resonator, and the operating mode is maintained through independent thermal control of the CuBr and HBr reservoirs, as well as the active volume (GDT wall). Key laser characteristics, including single-pass emission and superradiance (amplified spontaneous emission ASE) components, are evaluated in the context of a brightness amplifier for laser monitor systems. Detailed experimental optimization of the discharge circuit and peaking capacitor value is presented. Comparative analysis with previously reported systems shows that the specific output power (56.5 W/L) exceeds that of earlier sealed-off GDT configurations employing tacitrons and semiconductor switches. The results demonstrate the potential of LTD-based power supplies for use in high-repetition-rate lasers and optical image amplifiers, particularly in high-speed imaging applications.

To conduct a global study of atmospheric phenomena, it is important to conduct observations in different regions of the world. To do this, it is necessary to develop global observation networks. The GAONet network is an example of the development of a global infrastructure for studying climate change and the environment. The V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics has become part of the GAONet network and is actively developing an atmospheric observation point in Tomsk. This article presents the first experimental results.

The work is devoted to the results of the modeling the manganese vapor active medium that takes into consideration the competition between the optical transitions in the IR and visible ranges. We model the radiation conversion between the visible and IR ranges due to such competition. The qualitative and quantitative features of such conversion on various pulse repetition rates are discussed. In particular, we show that the conversion from the IR range to the visible range is more effective than opposite one. Based on the modeling results, we suggest the way of further studies on the experimental realization and measuring of such conversion.

The work is devoted to the study of the energy characteristics of active media on the IR transitions of barium (1.5 μm), europium (1.76 μm) and manganese (1.29-1.399 μm) atoms in gas-discharge tubes with an active zone volume of 88-314 cm3. MnCl2 and MnBr2 lasers were chosen as the active media on the transitions of the manganese atom. Record-breaking specific output parameters of these media have been achieved to date. In lasers on the transitions of barium and europium atoms, the generation power of 5 W was obtained with a specific power of 57 and 16 mW/cm3, respectively. In the MnBr2 laser, the total radiation power for the visible and IR spectral regions also reached 5 W using the HBr additive. The specific generation power was 32 mW/cm3. Taking into account the high amplification characteristics of such active media, it can be concluded that they can be used in image brightness amplifiers for visualization of processes screened by background illumination in the near IR region of the spectrum.

Surface inspection under large strains is a critical problem for both civil and mechanical engineering. Optical techniques can be used for its solution. Digital image correlation (DIC) is one of these promising optical techniques; it is used to measure displacement and strain fields without contact with a surface under study. Input parameters can directly affect the strain field calculation accuracy. The correlation method is a key factor in DIC calculation of a strain field, especially under large strains. In this work, three spatial and incremental methods are tested; their accuracy and applicability are estimated; their advantages and drawbacks are discussed. The results can be useful for the developments of software for non-destructive testing.