Special Features of Lasing on N2, N2+, Ar, Ne, and CO2 Transitions Pumped by a Nanosecond Transverse Discharge

Abstract

Special features of lasing in the most widespread molecular and atomic gases excited by a nanosecond transverse discharge are investigated. It is shown that the maximum of the lasing band on the C³П_u – B³П_g transition of the 0–0 vibrational molecular nitrogen band depends on the composition and pressure of the employed gas mixture and can be tuned from 0.2 to 0.3 nm. Simultaneous lasing on nitrogen molecules and ions at the wavelengths λ = 337.1 and 427.8 nm, respectively, is possible at a certain nitrogen content in the He/N₂ mixture. Wherein, regions of lasing at different wavelengths are spatially separated in the output beam cross section. To obtain maximal energy of laser radiation in argon at λ = 912.3 nm, high He pressures (4 atm) and maximal charge voltages (25 kV) are required. The most probable reason for the limited lifetime of a CO2 laser is the accumulation of CN molecules in the mixture.