Parametric generation of coherent radiation at 123.6 nm using Mg II ions

A study was made of the characteristics of Mg II ions as a new nonlinear medium for the generation of vacuum ultraviolet radiation. Preliminary experiments on the generation of coherent radiation at 123.6 nm using Mg II ions were carried out employing a magnesium vapor photoionized by resonant laser radiation. When the pump power was 6 kW, the conversion efficiency was 10 ^–6. This medium was promising for the generation of coherent radiation in the region of the Lyman lines of the hydrogen atom L_α , L_β and L_δ using pump radiations of moderate and low powers.