Magnetic Field Tuning Dips in He–CdII and He–ZnII Hollow Cathode Lasers

Abstract

The decay rates of the upper laser levels of He–CdII and He–ZnII lasers have been measured utilizing the magnetic field tuning dip, and the variations of these decay rates with He pressure are studied. The spontaneous decay rates of CdII and ZnII are estimated from the zero pressure intercept and found to be 58.1 MHz (4f2F7/2°, CdII, the upper level of 5378 Å), 1.24 MHz (5s22D5/2, CdII, 4416 Å), and 97.3 MHz (4f2F7/2°, ZnII, 4924 Å). The variation of the decay rate of the upper laser level with metal source temperature is also studied with a He–CdII 4416 Å hollow cathode laser and the difference of this variation between hollow cathode and capillary discharge lasers is discussed.