Transversely optically pumped Ar:He laser with a pulsed-periodic discharge

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Optically pumped rare gas lasers offer potential for high-power, continuous-wave (cw) systems with excellent beam quality.
• Metastable heavy rare gas atoms, crucial for lasing, are generated via electric discharge near atmospheric pressure.
• Developing efficient and stable discharge systems remains a significant challenge for these lasers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize a pulsed discharge system for optically pumped rare gas lasers.
• To minimize cathode sputtering and peak discharge current in the laser system.
• To demonstrate a transversely pumped system and measure the optical pumping threshold for an Argon-Helium (Ar:He) laser.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of a pulsed electric discharge system parameters.
• Characterization of cathode sputtering and peak discharge current.
• Experimental setup and measurement of optical pumping threshold in an Ar:He laser.

Main Results:

• Successful optimization of the pulsed discharge system.
• Significant reduction in cathode sputtering and peak discharge current achieved.
• First demonstration of a transversely pumped Ar:He laser system.
• Measurement of the optical pumping threshold for the Ar:He laser.

Conclusions:

• The optimized pulsed discharge system is suitable for high-power optically pumped rare gas lasers.
• Minimized cathode sputtering and discharge current enhance system longevity and efficiency.
• The demonstration of transverse pumping and threshold measurement paves the way for advanced laser designs.