Dynamics of laser pulses generated in enclosures characterized by a high spatial homogeneity of optical pumping

An investigation was made of the characteristics of the transverse distribution of the population inversion in a pulse-excited ruby rod resulting from differences between the configurations of pumping enclosures and from the nature of their reflecting surfaces. It was found experimentally that the transverse structure of the radiation field was related to the spatial distribution of inversion in each type of enclosure. It was established that circular cylindrical enclosures with diffusely reflecting surfaces produced the most homogeneous pumping field throughout the active rod, and this made it considerably easier to achieve laser emission with an ordered spatial and temporal structure.