Efficient arc lamps for optical pumping of neodymium lasers

A krypton arc lamp with high conversion efficiency has been obtained by increasing Kr pressure. The conversion efficiency of a lamp at 8 atm is about 1.2-1.5 times as high as that of a lamp used at 2 atm, depending on the operating electrical input. The high pressure Kr arc lamp and Nd: YAG rod were set in a prolate ellipsoidal cavity. Laser power of 73 W was obtained at an input of 2.63 kW for a slope efficiency of 3.5%.