Short-pulse photodissociation laser with magnetic-field modulation of gain

A master laser oscillator with magnetic-field modulation of the gain was constructed. An experimental study was made of the time characteristics of its output radiation. Amplification of the master oscillator signal was studied. The system employed included a preamplifier which shared the active medium with a final amplifier pumped with ultraviolet radiation generated by a thermal wave in a fast discharge. An aluminum foil, exploded by an electric discharge, was used as an optical decoupler. The output energy was 25 J in the form of 15 nsec pulses.