Use of secondary electron in He–Ne lasers with a transverse microwave discharge

The results are presented of theoretical and experimental studies of He–Ne lasers having a transverse microwave discharge, in which the elements of the plane microwave transmission line are simultaneously secondary-electron emitters. It is shown that in such lasers the microwave field strength required for the formation of a discharge in the laser channel can be considerably reduced. The electron temperature of the gas, in the steady-state discharge regime, is practically unchanged. Possible advantages of such lasers are discussed. The experimental results confirm the promising outlook for using secondary emitters in small He–Ne lasers pumped by a transistor microwave oscillator.