Hollow-cathode pulsed metal-vapor ionic lasers

Comparative values are given of the following visible-emission parameters of the more efficient hollowcathode pulsed lasers, utilizing the vapors of cadmium, zinc, mercury, and thallium: pulse and average output powers; unsaturated gain; optimal discharge conditions (buffer gas pressures and peak discharge currents). For a mercury vapor laser, with a wavelength of 615 nm, which has the best emission parameters, the dependences of the output power and efficiency on the discharge current and on the duration of the excitation pulse are given, in tubes with cathodes of various diameters (6-20 mm), and this makes it possible to find the maximum output power and efficiency. The results obtained are discussed on the basis of the known mechanisms for forming the electron energy distribution function in the negative glow of a hollow-cathode discharge.