Nuclear-pumped 3He-Ar laser excited by the 3He(<i>n</i>,<i>p</i>)3H reaction

Abstract

A volumetric direct nuclear-pumped laser has been achieved for the first time by using the 3He(n,p)3H reaction to excite a 3He-Ar laser. Lasing was achieved at 1.79 μ in Ar I at total pressures ranging from 200 to 700 Torr with 10% Ar, demonstrating stable high-pressure lasing. Laser energy output increased with both increasing total pressure and thermal neutron flux.