Laser action and plasma properties of an argon Z-pinch discharge

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Abstract
An experimental investigation of visible and ultraviolet laser action in a small argon Z-pinch plasma has been made. The effect of initial gas pressure on the peak laser output power, implosion time, time of ultraviolet laser action and axial electron density is described, and streak photographs of the discharge are presented. Laser action at 4765 Å due to Ar+ is observed in the initial stages of the discharge at pressures below 7 mtorr. Laser action at 3511 Å due to Ar2+ occurs as a short pulse at higher initial gas pressures just after the imploding current sheath reaches the axis of the discharge tube. Typically, the axial electron density at the time of peak ultraviolet laser action was found to be 10 × 1015 electrons cm−3, although at certain gas pressures slightly larger values were found. Large electron density gradients occur just after ultraviolet laser action.