title: Laser pulse-stretching with multiple optical ring cavities.
abstract: We describe a simple and passive nanosecond-long laser-pulse stretcher using multiple optical ring cavities. We present a model of the pulse-stretching process for an arbitrary number of optical ring cavities. This new model explicitly includes the effects of cavity delay time, beam-splitter reflectivity, total number of optical cavities, and describes the effects of spatial profile sensitivity. Using the model, we optimize the design of a pulse stretcher for use in a spontaneous Raman-scattering excitation system that avoids laser-induced plasma spark problems. From the optimized design, we then experimentally demonstrate and verify the model with a three-cavity pulse-stretcher system that converts a 1000-mJ, 8.4-ns-long input laser pulse into an approximately 75-ns-long (FWHM) output laser pulse with a peak power reduction of 0.10x and an 83% efficiency.
authors.affiliation: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44135, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Quang-Viet
authors.initials: QV
authors.lastname: Nguyen