ABSTRACT
A number of different schemes have been used to successfully overcome the refraction problem in collisionally pumped lasers based on solid slab targets. This arises from the steep electron density gradient induced in the laser produced plasma used as lasant arising at the zone of strong heating, and hence gain, by virtue of the blow-off. These basically fall into two sets whereby either the target is modified (double targets and bent targets) or the driving laser pulse is modified to provide a region of smoother density (pre-pulse and multi-pulse systems). These ideas have proved very successful in enabling an extensive range of operation to be achieved and improving the efficiency of the concept.
In this paper we examine these concepts using ideas developed in the course of detailed simulation using the neon-like germanium laser as prototype.
