Quasi-cw emission of violet stimulated radiation by N2 + ions in a high-pressure He–N2–H2 mixture

High-power quasi-cw lasing was observed for the first time in the near ultraviolet (λ = 391 nm) and visible (λ = 428 nm) parts of the spectrum. The emission was due to molecular nitrogen ions and it was observed when an He–N₂–H₂ mixture was excited by an electron beam. An increase in the lasing energy was observed when an electron-beam-controlled discharge was used to excite the active medium.