This article is cited in
3 papers
Invited paper
Small-scale recombination He – Sr$^+$(Ca$^+$) lasers
E. L. Latush,
G. D. Chebotarev,
M. F. Sèm Rostov State University
Abstract:
A review of specific features and output characteristics of small-scale (
$l \le $ 30 cm,
$d \le$ 1.1 cm) gas-discharge recombination He–Sr
$^+$ (
$\lambda$=430.5 nm) and He–Ca
$^+$ (
$\lambda$=373.7 nm) lasers is provided. Such compact lasers are characterised by a relatively high reliability and durability. These lasers are easy to operate and are capable of generating laser pulses with high repetition rates
$f$, a high specific mean power
$P_{sp}$, and an improved quality of output radiation. A typical mean power
$P$ of self-heating sealed-off He – Sr
$^+$ (Ca
$^+$) laser tubes with
$l \approx$ 30 cm and
$d \approx$ 1 cm is 0.5 W. The best specific characteristics of a He – Sr
$^+$ laser with tubes of this type were achieved with
$l$=20 cm and
$d$=0.6 cm (
$P_{sp}$=73 mW cm
$^{-3}$) and
$l$=9 cm and
$d$=0.55 cm (
$P_{sp}$=65 W cm
$^{-3}$). The best specific characteristics for a He – Ca
$^+$ laser were achieved with
$l$=26.5 cm and
$d$=0.7 cm (
$P_{sp}$=50 mW cm
$^{-3}$). The use of forced water cooling in a He – Sr
$^+$(Ca
$^+$) laser allowed the powers
$P$=3.9 W and
$P_{sp}$=137 mW cm
$^{-3}$ to be achieved with a tube with
$l$=30 cm and
$d$=1.1 cm for
$f$=29 kHz. A new method of inputting metal vapours based on cataphoresis is considered in detail. Using this method allowed the output characteristics of a He – Sr
$^+$ laser to be considerably improved and a record specific power
$P_{sp}$=277 mW cm
$^{-3}$ to be achieved for a tube with
$l$=26 cm and
$d$=0.3 cm with
$f$=30 kHz and
$P$=510 mW. A record gain, 0.15 cm
$^{-1}$, was also achieved under these conditions. Some possible areas of applications of small-scale He – Sr
$^+$(Ca
$^+$) lasers in semiconductor microtechnology, holography, ecology, and medicine are outlined.
PACS:
42.55.Lt,
42.60.Jf Received: 12.01.2000
Fulltext:
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