Spectral investigation of cw rf-pumped atomic Xe laser with a slab geometry

Abstract

Abstract. A radiofrequency excited atomic Xe slab laserwith an active volume of 2 x 10 x 300 mm 3 using a quartz envelope containing the laser-gas mixture shows a stable cw performance with an output power of almost 1 W. The free-running system oscillates, depending on gas composition and density, on several lines between 1.73 and 3.51 lam. Line competition phenomena are observed. Single-line oscillation yields more than 500 mW. PACS: 42.55; 42.60; 52.90In our previous paper we presented experiments with a continuous wave (cw) radiofrequency (rf) excited atomic Xe laser in a slab geometry having aluminium electrodes. A laser output power of 1.5 W and an efficiency of up to 0.8% were reported [1]. The main problem with this system was that its operation lasted for a relatively short time at the high output level. The output power decreased rather strongly after about 1 min. After 5-10 min of operation, during which the output level decreased considerably, a more stable regime was obtained. Although the measured input power also decreased with time, the decrease in output power was faster, probably due to changes in discharge properties [2] and to electrode effects [3]. Apparently, the discharge was perturbed by impurities. In this article we report on our investigation of a cw Xe laser in a slab geometry with the rf electrodes mounted outside the laser-gas volume. In this configuration the laser gas is contained in a closed rectangular thin quartz or pyrex glass tube and the electrodes are located close to the outer wall of the tube.

Transverse optical mode patterns for an RF excited Ar-He-Xe laser

“…The spectral resolution of the bandpass filters was not high enough to distinguish between the 2.63-and 2.65-m lines; however, it is known from our previous experiments that the 2.65-m line dominates [10].…”

“…At the second step, a simple integration is made according to (12) for the given gain profile. The modal gain is simply calculated from the linear relationship (10). The eigennumber can be calculated by simple algebra from (9).…”

High power mid infrared operation of the atomic xenon laser

“…1 Recent research on the excitation of the atomic xenon laser, using transverse radio frequency discharges, has yielded substantial advances in laser performance. [2][3][4][5] Thus, the recent observation of single line operation with output powers at the watt level suggested interesting possibilities for further research on mid infrared lasers. 6 Here, we report the extension of high power xenon laser performance to the 3.895 m transition, with the observation of cw power levels in excess of 200 mW from a compact static gas laser design.…”