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Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!watdcsu!bmaraldo
From: bmaraldo@watdcsu.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.physics,sci.electronics
Subject: Plasma Laser Tube Divergence
Message-ID: <3697@watdcsu.waterloo.edu>
Date: Thu, 30-Jul-87 02:22:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.3697
Posted: Thu Jul 30 02:22:10 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Aug-87 04:59:29 EDT
Distribution: sci
Organization: Unit 36 Research
Lines: 24
Keywords: HeNe, Laser, divergence
Xref: utgpu sci.physics:1849 sci.electronics:969



   I recieved a 5mW surplus Mells Griot HeNe 'bottle'.  After assembling a
   power supply for the device and getting the bottle to lase, I got a
   result that confused me.  The divergence of the Griot bottle is about
   twice the divergence of a 1.6mW Spectr Physics bottle.  I know
   it is true that the longer bottles will have higher power and narrower 
   divergence, but the results I have experienced aren't explained by this.
   What is it that determines the divergence of a plasma type laser device?
   I realize that it is determined by the wavelength, power, and beam exit
   diameter, but aren't there structural characteristics that determine the
   divergence?  I would think there are, because by using the three
   characteristics just described (and the related formulas), I should be
   getting about 1mR divergence but I appear to be getting 2-3mR divergence.  
   Comments or answers?

					Brett L Maraldo


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	                "Alien Technology Today"
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	                    bmaraldo@watdcsu