Electron-beam-pumped lasers operating on inert gas atomic transitions

In recent years, a keen interest arose in lasers operating on inert gas atomic transitions, particularly in Penning neon plasma lasers. This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the generation in an afterglow on e-beam pumping of Ne-H/sub 2/, He-Ne-Ar-, Ar-Xe, and other mixtures. Analysis of the kinetic processes occurring in these lasers is carried out. The data obtained for e-beam and discharge pumping are compared. Variation of the operating medium temperature revealed a decrease in both radiation power and pulse duration, the temperature effect being stronger for the 585.3-nm line. Analysis of the generation with optimum mixtures on red and yellow Ne lines shows that the Penning ionization from resonance levels is more effective than that from metastable ones. The Xe generation on pumping with a dense short e-beam is less effective than that with e-beams of a microsecond duration and a low (--3-A/cm/sup 2/) density. In the former case, however, the radiation power can be increased several times by using molecular additives