A simple first positive system nitrogen laser for use in optical fiber measurements

A near infrared laser operating on several transitions of the first positive system of N
2
was developed for measurements associated with optical fibers. The laser features a simple, longitudinal, segmented design giving pulsewidths of 60 to 80 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM) and peak powers of over 600 W in the 0.86 to 0.89 μm region in addition to significant output near 1.04 and 1.23 μm. Backscatter-reflection returns from optical fibers have been obtained using the laser.