Influence of He mixture on the pulse amplitude and spatial distribution of an Ne-like Ar 46.9 nm laser under gain saturation

Abstract

In the experiment of an Ne-like Ar 46.9 nm laser produced by capillary discharge, the effects of the addition of He into Ar on an Ne-like Ar 46.9 nm laser pulse and laser spot were studied. It was found that the laser pulse amplitude increased first and then decreased with pressure increase of He. In comparison with the laser pulse amplitude with pure Ar, the maximum amplitude with Ar–He mixture increased by approximately 34%. Under the condition of gain saturation of a 46.9 nm laser, the laser spatial distribution changed gradually with the addition of He into pure Ar. To analyze the influence of the addition of He into Ar on the laser spot, a theoretical simulation was performed.