Optimization of the characteristics of a garnet laser pumped optically by expendable flashlamps

An unbalanced combustion reaction was used to attain maximum radiation energy from expendable flashlamps. The dependences of the laser radiation energy on the weight of the fuel and uniformity of its distribution along the flashlamp length were determined experimentally. When the flashlamp ignition energy was 0.2 J, the laser radiation energy was 3.2 J for a mixture of hafnium with oxygen. The laser pulse duration could be varied within the range 5-200 msec.