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High-power Laser Research and Development
These applied research programmes concern research and development of
high power infra-red laser sources.
Earlier work, with DERA and others concerned the development of
methods and techniques for spectral and temporal control of Transversely
Excited Atmospheric (TEA) CO2 lasers and methods for synchronised
multi-wavelength emission. These
systems where used as a high power sources for multi-photon excitation and
dissociation of molecules, in our programmes on laser photo-chemistry,
specificity and isotope separation, and optically pumped molecular lasers
and nonlinear mixing in semiconductors in our research activity on the
generation of new coherent infra-red sources, both topical areas of
research in the early 80's.
Recently, innovative pulsed laser discharge circuitry based on all
solid state components was researched over a number of years and led to the
development of a new breed of long life, efficient, high mean power TEA CO2
lasers suitable for industrial applications. This laser technology, undertaken in
collaboration with and funded by the European Space Agency, was targeted by
ESA for their programme on Space Borne Doppler Wind Lidar. Most recently the technology has been
further developed with British Aerospace for material processing
applications for use in the aviation industry. The laser system was also demonstrated as
a portable TE/TEA CO2 system which was highlighted on the TV programme
‘Tomorrow's World’, 16 June 1999, for its application for graffiti cleaning.
Figure: A snapshot from Tomorrow's
world video showing how laser removes graffiti.
To
see the video clip from Tomorrow's world, click on the link below:
·
Full Tomorrow's
World clip (mpg format, 49.4MB)
·
Tomorrow's World
clip of just laser in action (mpg format, 6.03MB)
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