Copper vapor laser with an average specific output power exceeding 1 W/cm3

Operation of a copper vapor laser with a 4.5-mm diameter gas discharge tube was investigated at low buffer gas pressures and high pump pulse repetition frequencies. An average specific laser output power of ω ≥ 1.3 W/cm³ was achieved, which was an order of magnitude higher than the maximum value of ω in copper vapor lasers with commercial active elements.