Kinetics of optically pumped Kr metastables

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Laser Science and Photonics
• Chemical Physics

Background:

• Optically-pumped atomic gas lasers use metastable excited rare gas atoms (Rg(*)) for lasing.
• These lasers offer advantages over alkali vapor lasers due to their chemically inert nature.
• Collisional energy transfer, often involving helium (He), is essential for maintaining population inversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine state-to-state energy transfer rate constants for Kr(*) interacting with He.
• To provide essential data for the analysis and prediction of atomic gas laser performance.

Main Methods:

• Experimental measurement of energy transfer processes.
• Focus on Kr(*) excited states and their collisional interactions with He.
• Quantification of rate constants for specific Kr(*) energy levels.

Main Results:

• Reported He energy transfer rate constants for Kr(*) in the 5p[5/2](2), 5p[5/2](3), 5p[1/2](1), and 5s[3/2](1) states.
• Provided quantitative data on the efficiency of energy transfer pathways.

Conclusions:

• The reported rate constants are vital for modeling and optimizing optically-pumped Kr-He lasers.
• Accurate energy transfer data enables better prediction of laser output and efficiency.
• This research contributes to the advancement of rare gas atomic laser technology.