Optically pumped rare-gas lasers

The modern state of the research of a new promising optically pumped laser system with an active medium formed by metastable rare-gas atoms is briefly reviewed. The kinetics of these media is similar to that of laser media based on alkali metal vapour; however, the gas medium is inert. Metastable atoms can be produced in an electric discharge. As in alkali lasers, the specific laser power output under atmospheric pressure can be several hundreds of watts per 1 cm³. The lasing wavelengths lie in the near-IR range and fall in the transparency window of the terrestrial atmosphere. This new concept makes it possible to develop a closed-cycle cw laser with megawatt power levels and high beam quality.