Air as a buffer gas in metal-vapor lasers

Abstract

The output power of two metal-vapor lasers is measured as functions of different buffer gasses. A copper-vapor laser and a gold-vapor laser can be constructed using air as a buffer gas. The output power and stability of the lasers were compared when either He or Ne or air were used as a buffer gas. The results obtained show that the output powers of the lasers are relatively high and have fairly good stability when air was used as buffer gas. Elimination of gas handling and decrease in the volume and weight of the laser system are the greatest advantages of the lasers elaborated.