Gain measurements in cataphoretic helium–cadmium lasers

An experimental investigation was made of the gain in cataphoretic cadmium vapor lasers at 0.44 μm. It was found that when the striations were synchronized, the gain increased by approximately 15% due to an increase in the excitation of the active levels by fast electrons. Scaling laws typical of an He–Cd laser were determined for conventional excitation of the active medium, excitation with synchronized striations, and application of a longitudinal magnetic field.