Coaxial pulse-discharge lamp as a pump source for organic dye lasers

The mechanical strength as well as the electrical and optical characteristics of a coaxial pulse-discharge lamp were determined with a view to using this lamp as a pump source for organic dye lasers capable of emitting coherent light pulses of ~100 J. The conditions under which such a lamp operated most efficiently were determined. Under these conditions, the electrical energy stored in a capacitor bank was introduced rapidly into the lamp discharge and the lamp illuminated uniformly the active medium, ensuring a high pump radiation density throughout the active element.