A simple kinetic model of a Ne-H2 Penning-plasma laser

A simple kinetic model of the Ne-H₂ Penning-Plasma Laser (PPL) (NeI 585.3 nm) is proposed. The negative glow of a hollow cathode discharge at intermediate pressures is considered as the active medium. The balance equations for the upper and lower laser levels, electrons, ions and electron energy are solved. The dependences of the laser gain on the discharge conditions (Ne and H₂ partial pressures, discharge current) are calculated and measured. The calculated values are in a good agreement with the experimental data.