Hollow-cathode aluminum ion laser

Abstract
We have observed five laser transitions in the 358–747‐nm region, all of which originate from excited energy levels of singly ionized aluminum. Laser action was obtained by exciting a neon buffer gas in an aluminum hollow cathode and the excitation mechanism is thought to be a Ne+‐Al charge transfer reaction. Single‐line output power on the 358‐nm laser transition of Al II was 9 mW, while multiline infrared output was 5 mW.