EVALUATION OF FINAL REPORT ON PAR 217

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A001300010003-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 13, 2005
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: January 13, 1966
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For ease 2005/ Y !? m-FkDP78B0477 01300010003-5
13 January 1966
EVALUATION OF FINAL REPORT ON PAR 217
Declass Review by NGA.
Background
PAR 217 of Contract was concerned with the optimization of
the laser for photographic purposes. Its basic task was to explore
the production of 0.5 micron wavelength (blue-green) laser radiation
by harmonic doubling in certain bi-refringent crystals, those of
ammonium di-hydrogen phosphate (ADP) and potassium di-hydrogen
phosphate (KDP). I undertook the problem on 2 March 1964
and completed the work -on 12 October 1965 at a cost to the Government
of 0 The primary objective of this program, as defined at
the outset by [1 was "a final report discussing in detail all investigation
and tests accomplished." Special emphasis was to be placed upon
reporting: (1) the knowledge gained regarding the combination of a
laser with a harmonic doubling crystal element as a source of coherent,
visible light radiation; (2) the data organized regarding the use of the laser
with a variety of photographic sensitized materials; and (3) recommendations
regarding the breadboarding and building of prototype equipment to
support the photo-exploitation community.
Evaluation
1. An entirely accurate appraisal of the worth of this contract
and its final report will be most difficult to make. Due to concurrent
advances in the state-of-the-art regarding lasers, several aspects
of the prescribed course of study became unavoidably obsolescent during
the contract period, while other features retained their original
significance throughout. In particular, the development of an operational,
.continuous wave, gas laser, which radiated in the blue-green wavelength
area virtually eliminated the necessity of resorting to the harmonic
doubling process with its consequent flicker fusion of discrete pulses
from the neodymium-doped, borate glass laser. In view of the above
unforeseen circumstances, it would be both unfair and inaccurate to
judge 0 work solely upon an absolute value basis. Their work
will be evaluated according to the successes and/or failures experienced
.in approaching their objectives as originally stated.
2. The final report does not reflect inputs from other sources
associated with similar studies; a literature search in the required
depth would have helped the study.
3. The laboratory-oriented portion of the study was a competent effort
as far as it went. Unfortunately, it was cut short by the.unreported
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Evaluation, continued.
re-allocation of equipment to another project during the re-examination
of the goals on this program. Prior to that time,0 had successfully
completed the initial, mechanical problem-solving stage in achieving
operation of the glass laser with harmonic doubling element. Aside
from a theoretical error in some crystallographic considerations and the
consequent backtracking in experimental procedure, this phase of the
contract seems to have progressed well with some meaningful results. In
fact; its description occupies the bulk of the Final Report. Subsequent
to this phase were scheduled the photographic tests which promised to
yield the results of greatest potential interest to us. These tests,
involving image quality and a variety of sensitized materials, however,
were virtually eliminated by all because of rather tentative
findings obtained from PAR.216. The lone area to receive any detailed
attention was that of beam uniformity, only preliminary results were
obtained, however, and no significant quantitative parameters or probable
causes could be determined. That the beam would vary in spatial intensity
was expected; the correction of this phenomenon is a real photographic
concern and a known problem area.
1+. 0 discussion of the conversion efficiency aspects of the
second harmonic technique for the generation of visible, coherent
radiation is valid. The necessity of such a high energy, low efficiency
method of lasing has become outmoded, however, and even at the time of
this contract,: sole recommendation that we expect a moderately
priced, continuous wave, blue-green, gas laser soon to be commercially
available was a foregone.conclusion.
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