Optical pumping systems for lasers emitting in the vacuum ultraviolet range

The problem of optical pumping of vacuum ultraviolet lasers is considered from the point of view of the properties of optical cylindrical concentrators in the range of wavelengths when all materials suffer from a low reflectivity. The losses due to escape of radiation through the ends and reflecting walls are determined and the maximum efficiency of a concentrator is found. The available data on the optical constants are used in an analysis of the dependence of the concentrator efficiency on the material used as the reflecting coating. The role of the roughness of the reflecting surface is considered and the requirements in respect of the dimensional tolerances in the fabrication of concentrators are formulated. The systems for optical pumping of transitions in hydrogen-like ions, resulting in generation of radiation in the 20–150 nm range suggested earlier in the literature, are considered as examples.