Power increase of N2 uv and ir lasers by addition of SF6

Abstract

The output power and energy per pulse of transversely excited (TE) nitrogen lasers operating well over threshold on the 0.3371−μm transition in the C3Πu−B3Πg second positive system, and on near−infrared transitions in the B3Πg−A3Σ+u first positive system, have been found to be increased by more than 100% with the addition of SF6 compared with those obtainable from N2 alone. It is hypothesized that the increase in power results from a modification of the electron energy distribution by the SF6 or discharge products of SF6, to one that favors more efficient excitation of the C3Πu and B3Πg states of molecular nitrogen.