Iodine monofluoride 140-kW laser: small signal gain and operating parameters

Output energies in excess of 4 mJ in a ~30-nsec FWHM pulse (~140-kW peak power) have been obtained from a discharge-pumped IF laser for a cavity output coupling of 35%. In addition, oscillation on a new transition of the IF (E ? A) band at 472.7 nm has been observed. By measurement of the output power of the laser for various values of output mirror transmission, the small signal gain and loss coefficients were found to be (3.1 +/- 0.7)%-cm(-1) and ~0.3%-cm(-1), respectively.