Direct Nuclear-Pumped Lasers Using the 3He(n,p)3H Reaction
1978; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Volume: 16; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2514/3.60994
ISSN1533-385X
AutoresRussell J. DeYoung, N. W. Jalufka, F. Höhl,
Tópico(s)Cold Fusion and Nuclear Reactions
ResumoA description is presented of experimental results concerning a specific class of direct nuclear-pumped lasers classified as 'volumetric nuclear lasers'. In the considered laser system a fissioning gas, He-3, is mixed with the lasing gas to form a homogeneous mixture, resulting in uniform volume excitation. In typical volumetric nuclear lasers a fast-burst reactor is used as a source of neutrons which penetrate a polyethylene moderator. Here the fast neutrons are thermalized. After thermalization, neutrons scatter into the laser cell. Nuclear reactions produce a proton of 0.56 MeV and a tritium ion of 0.19. These ions produce secondary electrons which pump the laser medium creating a population inversion. The results reported demonstrate direct nuclear pumping of He-3-Ar, Xe, Kr, and Cl with the considered system.
Referência(s)