A computational investigation of the neon-like germanium collisionally pumped laser

Abstract
The complex problem of a collisionally pumped Ne-like germanium laser is examined through several detailed models. The central model is EHYBRID; a 1 1/2 D fluid code which self consistently treats the plasma expansion with the atomic physics of the Ne-like ion for 124 excited levels through a collisional radiative treatment. The output of EHYBRID is used as data for ray-tracing and saturation codes which generate experimental observables. A detailed description of the models is given. The atomic physics is investigated through a three-level approximation, a steady state collisional radiative treatment and a time-dependent solution within the fluid model. The accurate calculation of the non-steady state ionization balance is identified as a key issue. Time resolved and time integrated output profiles are generated for various experimental configurations, and the effects of saturation and gain narrowing are examined. The agreement with experiment is excellent in virtually every respect.

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