Visible and uv Laser Oscillation at 118 Wavelengths in Ionized Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Oxygen, and Other Gases

TLDR

A 2‑m pulsed dc discharge was used to generate the laser, with measured and calculated wavelengths and level classifications tabulated. Laser oscillation was observed at 118 wavelengths (2677–7993 Å) in ionized neon, argon, krypton, xenon, oxygen, and other gases, with 96 lines identified from singly, doubly, and triply ionized atoms; most are strong L‑S‑coupled transitions from levels optically connected to the ion ground state, obeying ΔS = 0, ΔJ = ΔL = +1, though some violations occur, and evidence shows upper‑level population by electron collisions with ground‑state ions, with time‑dependent output under pulsed excitation.

Abstract

Laser oscillation has been observed at one hundred and eighteen wavelengths in ionized neon, argon, krypton, xenon, oxygen, and other gases in the spectral range 2677 Å to 7993 Å. Of these lines, ninety-six have been definitely identified, and arise from singly, doubly, and triply ionized atoms. A 2-m, pulsed dc discharge was employed. Measured and calculated wavelengths and level classifications are tabulated. The majority of the laser lines observed are shown by comparison with calculated relative line strengths to be the strong lines predicted by L-S coupling that possess lower levels optically connected to the ion ground state. The rules ΔS = 0, ΔJ = ΔL = +1 are reasonably well obeyed, although violations of L-S restrictions on core change and multiplicity are also observed. Evidence of upper level population by electron collision with ground-state ions is presented. The time dependence of laser output under pulsed excitation is discussed.