Gain and lasing of optically pumped metastable rare gas atoms

Jiande Han; Michael C. Heaven

doi:10.1117/12.976274

8 November 2012 Gain and lasing of optically pumped metastable rare gas atoms

Jiande Han, Michael C. Heaven

Proceedings Volume 8547, High-Power Lasers 2012: Technology and Systems; 85470Z (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976274
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2012, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

Optically pumped atomic gas lasers are currently being developed in several laboratories. The objective is to construct high-powered lasers that also exhibit excellent beam quality. This is achieved by using the gas laser medium to phase combine the outputs from multiple solid state lasers. To date, the focus has been on optically pumped alkali vapor lasers. Considerable progress has been made, but there are technical challenges associated with the reactivity of the metal atoms. Rare gas atoms (Rg) excited to the np⁵(n+1)s ³P₂ configuration are metastable and have spectral properties that are closely similar to those of the alkali metals. In principle, optically pumped lasers could be constructed using excitation of the np⁵(n+1)p ← np⁵(n+1)s transitions. We have demonstrated this potential by observing gain and lasing for optically pumped Ne*, Ar*, Kr* and Xe*. Three-level lasing schemes were used, with He or Ar as the collisional energy transfer agent that established the population inversion. These laser systems have the advantage using inert reagents that are gases at room temperature.

Citation Download Citation

Jiande Han and Michael C. Heaven "Gain and lasing of optically pumped metastable rare gas atoms", Proc. SPIE 8547, High-Power Lasers 2012: Technology and Systems, 85470Z (8 November 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976274

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