Spatial gain profiles of a continuous wave radio-frequency pumped atomic xenon laser

Abstract

Spatially dependent small signal gain measurements in a continuous wave rf excited Ar–He–Xe (59.5/40/0.5) gas discharge are presented. Maximum values for the small signal gain of the 2.03 and 2.65 μm xenon transitions of about 22% and 37%/cm, respectively, were obtained at a total pressure of 120 mbar, an input power per unit electrode area of 20 W/cm2 and at a rf driving frequency of 115 MHz. With a spatial resolution better than 0.5 mm, a strongly inhomogeneous gain distribution in the transverse direction was measured.