Laser utilizing Cu I transitions in copper halide vapors

Stimulated emission at a high pulse repetition frequency was obtained as a result of self-terminating transitions in the copper atom in CuCl and CuBr vapors. The repetition frequency was equal to the excitation pulse frequency (16.5 kHz). The efficiency of the CuBr laser was ~1%. The average output power in the form of the λ = 510.5 and 578.2 nm lines was 12 W. The stimulated emission was observed in 12, 18, and 30 mm diameter quartz discharge tubes.