Lifetime of Helium-Neon Lasers

Abstract

Experiments have been performed in order to ascertain the factors affecting the lifetime of an rf excited, internal reflector, helium-neon laser oscillating at λ6328 Å. Using the results of the experiment it has been found possible to make practical lasers of simple design having lifetimes of over 1000 h operation. This performance has been achieved by improving the reflectors and by adjusting discharge conditions and gas filling to optimum.