Vortex discharge as a pumping source for continuous-wave lasers

A theoretical and experimental investigation was made of the processes involved in the formation of an arc discharge stabilized by a gas vortex. An experimental investigation was made of a vortex discharge in argon, which was used as an optical pumping source of continuous-wave ionic-crystal lasers. A comparative study was made of the efficiences of discharges in argon, xenon, and krypton in the optical pumping of a YAG:Nd³⁺ crystal.