Optically pumped pulsed Li2 laser

Pulsed lasing was obtained for the first time from Li₂ molecules by optical pumping with radiation from a pulsed copper vapor laser (578.2 nm, pulse repetition frequency 5 kHz). The laser transitions, with wavelengths in the range 867–907 nm, belong to the electronic A¹Σ_u⁺–X¹Σ_g⁺ system. With a pump power of 190 mW, an average output power of 8 mW was achieved with an efficiency for the conversion of the optical pumping energy of 7%. A number of Li₂ laser emission lines were observed in the superradiant regime.