Anomalous Behavior of the Competition Between the Lasering Transitions of the Argon Ion Laser

Abstract

A wavelength-selective feedback modulation scheme was devised to study the competitive behavior of the lasering transitions in the argon ion laser and to determine the coupling relationships, radiative as well as collisional, between the inverted states of the ion. By means of monitoring cross modulation on lasering lines, spontaneous transitions, and discharge current, the interdependence of the lasering transitions was determined. Whereas lasering transitions which share common energy levels, upper or lower, are expected to compete adversely with each other, it was found that under certain conditions the contrary takes place.

Observation of Radiation From Nonlinear Polarization Sideband in Argon Lasers

“…(3), Aw stands for AWS14S' We thus estimate An 1':0 4.5 x 10 8 cm-3 • From Eq. (2) with E 4880 ~ 0.4, we thus obtain Po 1':0 3.8 X 10-10 esu. It should be cautioned at this point that Eqs.…”

“…3, Po may be estimated to be IPo! 1':0 ;~ I P laiZAnjE4880j , (2) where T2 is the "transverse relaxation time" related to the homogeneous linewidth. For Ar-, we have T 2 1':O 3.45 X 10-10 sec.…”

“…Furthermore, An in Eq. (2) is the amplitude of modulation of the lower laser state at the frequency AW514S' We can estimate An by using the approximate formula n2 -n1 is the population difference for the 5145 A transition. For our current densities, we estimate n2 -n1 "" 3 x 10 10 cm-3 • E S145 and E;14S are the two intracavity mode amplitudes which are about 0.5 esu.…”

“…It should be cautioned at this point that Eqs. (2) and (3) really refer to homogeneously broadened lines. For the present order of magnitude estimates, this simplification seems warranted.…”

Lifetime of the Excited State In Vivo

“…AiThe experimental procedure for measuring r was similar to that previously described (9, 10), except that excitation was provided by an argon ion laser oscillating at 488 nm (see reference 11). Intracavity modulation by acoustical standing waves in a fused quartz block produced forced mode locking with pulse widths of less than 1 nsec (12).…”