Modulation of Не–Nе laser radiation by discharge current perturbations

V. V. Tuchin, G. G. Akchurin


Abstract: Theoretical and experimental investigations were made of the influence of small harmonic perturbations of the electron density (discharge current) on the output radiation of a He–Ne laser (λ = 0.63 μ). The frequency response of the output intensity fluctuations to perturbations in the gas-discharge plasma depended strongly on the nature of the saturation of the constant component of the output intensity with increasing discharge current. The inertia of the process of establishment of the electron density in the discharge had a considerable influence on the nature of the frequency response of the intensity fluctuations to perturbations in the discharge current. Modulation of characteristics should make it possible to analyze more fully the mechanism of saturation of the output intensity and to determine the metastable-state lifetimes of helium and neon atoms.

UDC: 621.378.33

PACS: 42.60.C

Received: 06.08.1974
Revised: 12.11.1974

 English version: Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics, 1975, 5:6, 678–684