A high pressure 585.3 nm neon hydrogen laser

Abstract

Lasing was observed on the 3p′ ( 1 2 ) 0−3s′( 1 2 ) 0 1 (i.e. 2p 1−1s 2 in the Paschen notation) Ne transition at λ = 585.3 nm in mixtures of Ne and H 2. A small (200 mm active length), Blumlein type, transverse-discharge driven assembly delivered laser pulses with fwhm between 30 and 140 ns at pressures of up to 700 mbar. The population inversion is ascribed to a fast Penning reaction between H 2 and Ne which effectively depopulates the lower laser level.