Dielectric barrier discharge pumped N(2) laser

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Laser Technology
• Gas Discharge Physics

Background:

• Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are effective for generating non-equilibrium plasmas.
• Excitation of molecular gases in DBDs can lead to light emission and potential laser action.
• Nitrogen (N2) is a common gain medium for UV lasers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate laser action in N2/He gas mixtures excited by a pulsed transverse dielectric barrier discharge.
• To determine the optimal pressure range for achieving laser oscillation.
• To characterize the performance of the N2 laser in terms of pulse energy and efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a pulsed transverse dielectric barrier discharge setup.
• Excited nitrogen (N2) and helium (He) gas mixtures in a 1:10 ratio.
• Operated the discharge at pressures ranging from 400 millibars to 1.3 bars.

Main Results:

• Achieved laser action at a wavelength of 337.1 nm.
• The laser operated effectively within the pressure range of 400 mbar to 1.3 bar.
• Obtained a maximum pulse energy of 1.4 µJ with a pulse width of 8 ns.
• The overall energy efficiency was measured to be 0.002%.

Conclusions:

• Pulsed transverse dielectric barrier discharge is a viable method for generating UV laser action in N2/He mixtures.
• Laser performance is dependent on operating pressure.
• Further optimization may improve the efficiency and output energy of such N2 lasers.