Influence of the pumping regime on lasing of an He–Xe optical-breakdown plasma

Abstract

An experimental investigation was carried out into lasing of an optical-breakdown plasma in an He-Xe gas mixture exposed to CO2 laser radiation. A wide range of pump pulse energies and durations and active mixture pressures were used. Lasing was realized on four Xe I transitions (λ = 2.03, 2.65, 3.4, and 3.65 μm). The pump pulse duration was found to exert a strong influence on the lasing characteristics of the optical breakdown plasma. The role of gas-dynamic processes in the interaction of the CO2 laser radiation, with the gas close to a target during the buildup of inversion, was analysed. A quasi-cw lasing regime of the recombination laser in the optical breakdown plasma was observed.