Development of applied optical techniques using lasers

Researches on laser isotope separation of deuterium using Infrared Multi-photon Absorption/Dissociation (IR MPA/D) and UV predissociation were reviewed and several kinds of lasers were built for this purpose. A tunable TEA COsub(2) laser with power of about 10 MW was assembled and a HF chemical laser with output energy of 300 mJ was built. These lasers are not ready to be used as sources for IR MPA/D experiment yet. The TEA CO2 laser needs modification for more stable output and higher repetition rate and the HF chemical laser needs improvement for more output energy and tunability. Also, a KrF excimer laser was built for UV predissociation experiment, but requires modification for stable output. Furthermore, laser welding of Zr was surveyed and a few samples were welded using Nd:YAG laser. Finally, a remote inspection instrument was designed using a He-Ne laser and a CCD array. (Author)