Output power and gain obtained for a laser transition in pure neon at 5.4 μm

The output power and the gain were determined for the 5.4 μm (3p₁–3s'₁) laser transition in a compact laser containing pure neon. The length of the active medium was 60 cm. The measurements were made at different neon pressures and for different discharge currents. The results obtained were used to draw the conclusion on the suitability of a pure neon laser emitting at λ = 5.4 μm for the detection of traces of nitric oxide.