Infrared emission from a lead vapor laser

Stimulated emission of two infrared wavelengths 3.15$\mp$0.10 and 7.15$\mp$0.10 $\mu$ with a total average power of 30 mW was observed for the first time during the afterglow of a pulse-periodic (1–3 kHz) discharge in mixtures of lead vapor with rare gases (He, Ne). Superradiant behavior was observed for both lines. Estimates were obtained of the properties of the discharge plasma during a lasing pulse and the energy of the infrared output radiation was determined as a function of the delay time between excitation pulses. A study was made of the influence of the nature of the buffer gas on the lasing parameters. After the end of a lasing pulse a certain time was required for the recovery of the properties of the active medium and during this time there was no infrared emission. The characteristic recovery time was identical with the three-particle recombination time.