6C3 - Efficient pulsed gas discharge lasers

TLDR

A class of lasers operates by cyclic excitation and relaxation in atomic vapor discharges. The required energy level structure for maximum efficiency is described. Pulsed laser action was demonstrated in neutral copper vapor at 5105.54 Å (58 dB/m, 2 kW peak power) and 5782.13 Å (42 dB/m, 0.6 kW peak power), and in ionized calcium at 8542.09 Å and 8662.14 Å, each achieving saturated gains of 58 dB/m and peak powers exceeding 30 W.

Abstract

A class of lasers which operates by cyclic excitation and relaxation in atomic vapor discharges is discussed. The required energy level structure for maximum efficiency is described. Pulsed laser action in neutral atomic copper vapor at 5105.54Å (58 dB/m, 2 kW peak power) and at 5782.13Å (42 dB/m, 0.6 kW peak power) provides experimental verification and promises high efficiency. Pulsed laser action was also observed in ionized calcium at 8542.09Å and 8662.14Å. Both have saturated gains of 58 dB/m and a total peak power output above 30 W.