Influence of molecular Gases on the Output characteristics of a Copper Vapor Laser

Abstract
The effect of molecular gas impurities in the Ne buffer gas on the output characteristics of a copper-vapor laser has been investigated. Molecules with hydrogen atoms are found to increase the laser output power and improve the intensity distribution over the cross section of the beam. Hydrogen improves the average output power by as much as 50% and the efficiency by 60%. A maximum average power of 27 W is obtained using the plasma tube with a 32 mmφ×70 cm active volume.