Observation of laser oscillation in a 1-atm CO2–N2–He laser pumped by an electrically heated plasma generated via photoionization
- 15 January 1973
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Applied Physics Letters
- Vol. 22 (2) , 55-57
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1654555
Abstract
The photoionization of a large organic molecule, tri‐n‐propyl amine, mixed with a 1‐atm CO2–N2–He gas is used to produce a high‐electron‐density uniform large‐volume laser plasma. Photoionization by a two‐photon two‐step process is found to be the dominant mechanism when illumination is by a xenon flashlamp employing a quartz envelope. Electron density on the order of 1013/cm3 is obtained. The electrons are heated by an externally applied electric field less intense than that required to produce avalanche breakdown. Laser oscillation is observed on the P(20) line of the 10.6‐μ CO2 band with a maximum output of 300 mJ obtained from a 0.02‐liter active volume (corresponding to 15 J/liter). The energy output as a function of E/P is studied and found to peak at a value below breakdown.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- The feasibility of producing laser plasmas via photoionizationIEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 1972
- Electron-Beam-Controlled Electrical Discharge as a Method of Pumping Large Volumes of CO2 Laser Media at High PressureApplied Physics Letters, 1972