Recombination lasers in Nd and CO_2 laser-produced cadmium plasmas

Abstract

This is the first report of a recombination laser that has been produced in laser-vaporized target material. Inputlaser-pulse energies as low as 0.5 mJ at 1.06 microm and 5 mJ at 10.6 microm have resulted in laser oscillation in Cd I at 1.40, 1.43, 1.45, and 1.64 microm in approximately 1-cm-radius cadmium plasmas. This laser appears to have the potential for high efficiency. In addition, scaling of this plasma-recombination process to higher-ionization stages should yield shortwavelength lasers.