OBSERVATION OF SUPERRADIANT LASER ACTION IN SPARK DISCHARGES IN AIR AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

Abstract

Superradiant, stimulated emission at 3371 Å has been observed from spark discharges in air at atmospheric pressure. This emission corresponds to transitions in the second positive band system of molecular nitrogen. Duration of the emitted laser pulse is about 0.6 nsec and peak power output is about 2 W.