Threshold and saturation properties of a solid-state XeF (C-A) excimer laser

A dielectric laser cavity of 1 cm length has been optimized for high gain (7 cm^–1) operation which is achieved in XeF doped Ar crystals. Mode structures on the C-A spectral distribution around 540 nm and far field transverse mode patterns are reported. Photchemical gain burning is observed in the spectral mode structures. The dependence of the laser threshold on pump energy, pumped length and on cavity losses is studied. XeF densities of 7×10¹⁷ cm^–3 and distributed losses of 1.2 cm^–1 are derived. The measured quantum efficiency of 14% and the saturation behaviour are consistently described. Losses by transient aborption and two photon absorption are discussed.     

Population densities and optical gain of VUV transitions of Cu II in Cu−He hollow cathode discharges

Population densities of excited Cu II-levels between 16 and 25 eV in Cu–He hollow cathode discharges were determined by emission spectroscopy. Population inversion was detected for several 6s-4p transitions. Investigation of the enhancement of Cu II vuv lines in He compared to Ne discharges showed that the excitation of the 6s levels by charge transfer is up to 100 times higher in He than in pure Ne discharges. Using the population densities and known transition probabilities, a single pass gain of 55% m^–1 at 780.8 nm and 1.2% m^–1 at 154.17 nm at a current density of 0.4 A cm^–2 was calculated.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. H. Gobrecht on the occasion of his 75th birthday     

Xe2Cl fluorescence and absorption in self-sustained discharge XeCl lasers

Fluorescence at 490 nm from the triatomic excimer Xe₂Cl^* has been investigated to determine the 308 nm absorption due to this species in an x-ray preionized, self-sustained gas discharge XeCl laser. The dependence of Xe₂Cl^* density on laser intensity (at 308 nm), buffer gas and Xe and HCl partial pressures has been determined for discharges with a peak electrical power deposition of 2.5 GWl^–1. Xe₂Cl^* absorption is estimated to reach 0.6% cm^–1 under non-lasing conditions but decreases to a non-saturable 0.2% cm^–1 for intracavity laser intensity>1 MW cm^–2. XeCl^* and Xe₂Cl^* fluorescence intensities were found to be a similar for both helium and neon buffer gases but laser output was a factor of two greater with a neon buffer.     

Gain dynamics of XeF and subpicosecond pulse generation at 351 nm

Subpicosecond pulse amplification at the 351 nm line of XeF is reported. The study of the gain dynamics of XeF with subpicosecond (subnanosecond) pulses resulted in 0.2 mJ/cm² (0.8 mJ/cm²) for the saturation energy density and 0.18 cm^–1 (0.21 cm^–1) for the small-signal-gain coefficient. In XeF a gain recovery of 78±4% with a 79±18 ps time constant is found.     

Experimental verification of a zero-dimensional model of the kinetics of XeCl* discharges by XeCl*(B)-, XeCl*(C)-, and Xe2Cl*-density measurements

Absolutely calibrated emission spectroscopy has been used to determine the particle number densities of XeCl^*(B), XeCl^*(C), and Xe₂Cl^* in a small scale Ne/Xe/HCl discharge with well-defined current and voltage pulses for a wide range of parameters. The measured particle number densities could be reproduced quite well by numerical model calculations using the rate-coefficient values of Quiñones et al. [1] for the quenching of XeCl^*(B,C) by Ne, Xe, and 2Xe, but 3.0 × 10^–31 cm⁶/s for the formation of Xe₂Cl^* by (Ne + Xe)-quenching. For the electron quenching, we recommend a rate coefficient value of 3.2 × 10^–8 cm³/s. From the equilibrium ratio of the particle number densities of XeCl^*(C) and XeCl^*(B), the energy separation between these states has been estimated to be 72 ± 33 cm^–1 with the B state placed above the C state.     

Spectral line competition in a coaxial electron-beam-pumped high pressure Ar/Xe laser

In order to study the kinetic mechanism of the e-beam pumped Ar/Xe laser, the temporal profiles of individual laser lines during multiline oscillation have been measured as a function of power deposition (1–12MW/cm³) and gas laser pressure (2–14 bar) using a short pulse (30 ns) coaxial electron beam as excitation source. It was found that the optimum output energy at each pressure was obtained at the same specific power deposition.Strong line competition has been observed between the 2.65 and 1.73 m transitions. In order to explain our results we suggest that besides electron collision mixing (ECM) between the 5d and 6p levels of Xe, there is also a redistribution between all 6p levels which strongly favours the lower levels at higher pumping densities.     

Soft X-ray amplification by Li-like Al10+ and Si11+ ions in recombining plasmas

Experimental studies of soft X-ray lasers were carried out on the six-beam laser facility and the LF 12 laser facility of SIOM. Using a home-made one-dimensional spatially resolved grazing incidence grating spectrograph, XUV amplification has been observed in Li-like aluminum and silicon ions, by irradiation of slab targets with a line-focused laser. Based on time-integrated measurement, gain coefficients are 3.1 cm^–1 for the 105.7 Å 5f–3d transition in Li-like Al ions, and 1.5 cm^–1 and 1.4 cm^–1 for the 88.9 Å 5f–3d and the 87.3 Å 5d–3p transitions in Li-like Si ions, respectively. The maximum gain × length products (GL) are about 2.5.     

Laser performance of perylenebis (dicarboximide) dyes with long secondary alkyl chains

The laser performance and related photophysical properties of two very soluble perylene dyes with long chain secondary alkyl groups were investigated in cyclohexane solution. With a dye laser as pump source a tuning range of 555–580 nm was obtained at an optimum concentration of 3×10^–4 M. The quantum efficiencies (=0.29 and 0.21) were better than 1/2 that of rhodamine 6G. No photodegradation was observed over an excitation period of several hours.     

Near infrared lasing transitions in Ar,Kr, and Xe atoms pumped by a coaxial e-beam

Optimizations of gas composition and input energy were performed for gas mixtures containing a buffer gas and either Ar, Kr or Xe as the lasing gas. The total gas pressure was varied between 1 and 14 bar and the input energy from 0.03 to 0.7 J/cm³. The excitation source was a small coaxial electron beam with a pumping length of 20 cm and a pulse length of 30 ns (FWHM). From an active volume of 13.3 cm³ a maximum output energy of 12 mJ was obtained from a gas mixture containing 0.3% Xe in Ar at a total gas pressure of 10 bar. The intrinsic efficiency was 0.9%.     

Experimental verification of a zero-dimensional model of the kinetics of XeCl* discharges by Xe*-, Cl*-, Ne*-, and H*-density measurements

Absorption spectroscopic measurements of effective particle number densities of excited Xe, Ne, Cl, and H performed on a small scale discharge with well-defined current and voltage pulses are compared with the results of model calculations over a wide range of discharge parameters. The reaction kinetic pathways determining the ionization and dissociative attachment rates have been verified by the good agreement obtained during the quasi-steady-state phase of the discharge for Xe and H. To reproduce the rise times of the excited Xe particle number densities during the ignition phase, the electron collision excitation cross sections of ground state Xe published by Puech and Mizzi [1] had to be enhanced by about 25%. From the Ne measurements it is concluded that the electron collision excitation cross sections of ground state Ne published by Puech and Mizzi [1] may be too large near the threshold. Measurements of excited Cl particle number densities are unsuitable to check the attachment kinetics of HCl, because these densities are mainly determined by reactions not involving the formation of Cl^– ions.     

Gain and saturation measurements in a discharge excited F2 laser using an oscillator amplifier configuration

The small-signal gain coefficient and the saturation intensity of a F₂ pulsed discharge molecular laser at 157 nm have been measured using two discharge devices in an oscillator-amplifier configuration. The small signal gain coefficient was measured to be 5.2±0.4% cm^–1 at 3 atm total pressure and 1.5 cm electrode spacing and 4.1±0.4% cm^–1 at 2 atm total pressure and 2 cm electrode spacing while the values of the saturation intensity were 5 MW/cm² and 4.6 MW/cm², respectively.     

Studies of vibrational relaxation in CDF3 following intense laser excitation

The V-T/R relaxation time of CDF₃ was measured studying the laser-induced infrared fluorescence emitted by vibrationally excited CDF₃. Following excitation by the 10R(12) line of a TEA CO₂ laser infrared fluorescence has been detected without spectral resolution in the 1100–700 cm^–1 range. A decay rate of 28.8 ms^–1 Torr^–1 was obtained for pure CDF₃ when it is excited with a fluence of 390 mJ/cm². Measurements have also been made in the presence of different bath gases (He, Ne, Ar, Xe, and CHF₃).     

Observation of gain at 54.2 Å on balmer-alpha transition of hydrogenic sodium

Planer stripe and foil targets coated with NaF were irradiated with high intensity 351 nm laser radiation of 130 ps duration. Time-integrated as well as time-resolved measurement of gain on NaXIH at 54.2Å were made. A time-integrated gain of 1.2 _–1.1 ^+0.8 cm^–1 and a time-resolved peak gain of 3.2±1.0 cm^–1 were obtained. A detailed account of the experimental procedures for determination of gain is given.     

Laser investigations at 269 nm for XeF(D-X) in Ne crystals

From line narrowing in amplified spontaneous emission at the D-X transition (269nm) of XeF in solid Ne a gain coefficient of 3.4 cm^–1 has been derived and ground-state losses of 2.8 cm^–1 have been determined by variation of the absorption length. A dielectric laser cavity has been optimized with the reflectivities R₁=100% and R₂=70% for 1 cm long crystals; laser action has been achieved.     

Collisional excitation X-ray laser experiments in plasmas produced by 0.53-μm and 0.35-μm laser light

Recent Ne- and Ni-like X-ray laser experiments carried out at the Centre d'Etudes de Limeil-Valenton (CEL-V) are reviewed. A variety of experiments in Ne-like X-ray lasers were performed; here we discuss measurements of soft X-ray amplification in Ge (Z=32) and Sr (Z=38) plasmas. In Ge plasmas produced by 0.53-m laser light at an irradiance of 6.0×10¹³ W/cm², gains between 2.2–2.5 cm^–1 on the 232.2 and 236.2 Å J=2–1 lines and a gain of 1.0 cm^–1 on the 196.1 Å J=0–1 line were measured. In addition, gains of 4.4 cm^–1 and 4.0 cm^–1 have been demonstrated on the J=2–1 transitions at 164.1 and 166.5 Å in Nelike Sr at laser intensities of 1.3×10¹⁴ W/cm². The effects of pumping the Ne-like Se X-ray laser with 0.35-m laser light have also been investigated; the Se lasing spectra is similar to that obtained with 0.53-m light. Experiments have also been carried out to optimize the gain of the 50.3 Å Ni-like Yb (Z=70) J=0–1 line. For Yb, no significant increase in gain over that previously reported was seen, but the time history of the Ni-like Yb X-ray laser was measured for the first time. Finally, attempts to extrapolate the Ni-like results to shorter wavelength were made using Ta (Z=73), W (Z=74), and Re (Z=75). No definitive observation of the Ni-like J=0–1 lasing lines was made in these experiments.     

Na 32P-32D line broadening by Ne,Ar, and Xe

The normalized emission intensity in the wings of the optically thin Na 3²P-3²D lines broadened by Ne, Ar, and Xe has been measured in emission from a high-pressure discharge. A blended satellite occurs about 80 cm^-1 into the Na-Xe red wing and a progression of increasing red wing intensity from Ne to Ar to Xe is observed. Xe densities of 2.5 and 9.1 × 10¹⁹ cm^-3 were used, and the pressure dependence of the NaXe line shape indicates that multiple perturber interactions are important in the far wing at the higher noble gas densities.     

Harmonic and sum-frequency generation of pulsed laser radiation in BBO,LBO, and KD*P

The optical properties of the nonlinear crystals lithium borate (LBO), barium borate (BBO) and deuterated potassium phosphate (KD*P) are compared for second and third harmonic generation of Nd:YAG laser radiation. In an experimental investigation the conversion efficiency has been measured as a function of the energy density of 8 ns long laser pulses, generated by a commercial Nd:YAG oscillator-amplifier system. In LBO and BBO the second harmonic generation saturates at an energy density of about 1.5 J cm^–2 at efficiencies of 55–60%. In KD*P comparable efficiencies (40–55%) require energy densities of 2–2.6 J cm^–2. Similar results are obtained for frequency tripling. In LBO and BBO saturated efficiencies of 20–25% are measured at an energy density of about 1.5 J cm^–2. In KD*P efficiencies of 20% are obtained at energy densities exceeding 2 J cm^–2. Besides for doubling and tripling of Nd:YAG laser radiation the phase-matching is calculated for frequency conversion of tunable laser light. The results demonstrate that in LBO and BBO phase-matched sum-frequency mixing of UV and infrared laser light generates tunable radiation at wavelengths as short as the transmission cut-off at 160 nm and 190 nm, respectively.     

Relaxation-oscillations in the C → A laser emission of XeF in Ar crystals

Transversely pumped 1 cm long crystals are operated in a plan-parallel cavity with dielectric mirrors of 100% and 30% reflectivity. Relaxation-oscillations in the laser emission at 540 nm with frequencies in the range of (1 to 1.8)·10⁹ s^–1 are observed. A square root dependence on pump rate is shown and an internal loss coefficient of 5.4 cm^–1 is derived.On leave from the Polish Academy of Sciences IF-FM, Fiszera 14, PL-80-952 Gdansk, Poland     

Resonantly photo-pumped Fe16+ soft X-ray laser

A resonantly photo-pumped soft x-ray laser process is studied for neon-like iron ions with an automatic line match scheme. The special advantages of this scheme are shown. The temporal characteristics of lasing gains and their dependences on the pump strength and electron density are investigated. Unlike the electron-collisional excitation and some other photo-pumped excitation schemes, it is demonstrated that main photopumped gains come from 2p-4d-3p-3s transition channels. Using the experimental data of pump strengths from a non-LTE plasma produced in our experiment as input data, our model yields a peak gain of 5.6 cm^–1, 2.8 cm^–1 and 1.9 cm^–1 on the dominant lasing transitions at 38.74 nm, 25.47 nm and 20.46 nm.     

Blue up-conversion with excitation into Tm ions at 808 nm in YVO4 crystals co-doped with thulium and ytterbium

The up-conversion of infrared radiation at 808 nm, emitted by a diode laser, into blue emission centered at 480 nm in 1 at.% Tm, 5 at.% Yb: YVO₄; 1 at.% Tm, 8 at.% Yb: YVO₄ and 2 at.% Tm, 5 at.% Yb: YVO₄ has been studied. The highest intensity of blue emission is found for the 1 at.% Tm, 8 at.%Yb: YVO₄ system. The power dependence of up-converted emission upon continuous-wave excitation as well as the time evolution of its intensity upon short-pulse excitation were found to be consistent with a two-step excitation mechanism in which the forward Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺ energy transfer is followed by the back Yb³⁺–Tm³⁺ energy transfer. The effect of dopant concentrations on the up-conversion process is interpreted taking into account dynamics of the excited states involved.