Influence of discharge circuit parameters on the repetition rate-energy output characteristics of a laser on self-terminating transitions of atomic copper

The excitation circuits of a copper vapour laser (CVL) with a partial or total discharge of the storage capacitor were analysed. Based on this analysis, the effect of prepulse electron density on the repetition rate-energy characteristics of a CVL was shown to be minimal when the following conditions are fulfilled: R > 2(L/C)^1/2 and L/R < τ_c (for partial-discharge pump schemes; C is the storage capacitor capacity, L is the discharge circuit inductance, R is the prepulse resistance of the active medium, and τ_c is the switch turn-on time) and for a high frequency of free oscillations in the discharge circuit of a CVL. The conclusion was drawn that traditional pump schemes limit the energy capabilities of a CVL. The repetition rate-energy characteristics of a CVL can be improved by resorting to schemes with a shock or complex excitation circuit or their combination.