Optimization of the temperature profile of a high-powered strontium bromide laser

The subject of investigation is a new high-powered strontium bromide (He–\(\hbox {SrBr}_{2})\) vapor laser emitting in the infrared spectrum. The aim of the study is to investigate the possibilities for optimizing the thermal mode of the laser by enhancing its operating characteristics. Based on a previous analytical self-consistent model of the authors, a model of the device temperature profile is presented under the conditions of forced convection. The model consists of quasi-stationary heat transfer equation with appropriate set of boundary conditions to investigate the influence of the cooling processes in the laser tube with transverse external air cooling. An assessment is performed of the nature of the main physical processes accompanying the distribution of heat energy from the center of the tube and its interaction with the ambient environment under forced convection. Through simulations, it has been found that when air flow rate changes, the operating temperature can vary widely within 100 K. It is also illustrated how to increase the supplied electric power while maintaining the maximum working temperature at the center of the laser tube. The model allows for detailed examination of the thermal processes, it does not require temperature measurements, and it can be used for different geometric dimensions of the laser tube, values of the supplied electric power, coefficients of thermal conductivity of the structural materials, and other operational and design parameters. The developed model is applicable to a wide range of metal vapor lasers, and other closely related ones.