Pulsed Inductive Laser on Krypton Neutral Atoms Transitions in the IR Spectral Range

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of laser generation based on electron transitions in neutral krypton atoms in the near- and mid-infrared spectral regions, pumped by a pulsed inductive longitudinal discharge of a low-pressure gas active medium. Particular attention is given to the investigation of population inversion formation conditions and experimental studies of the influence of gas mixture compositions (Kr–Ar, Kr–He, Kr–He–Ar), gas pressure, and discharge parameters on the energy, temporal, and spatial characteristics of the laser generation. For the first time, laser generation at a wavelength of 810 nm (corresponding to the 5p → 5s transition of Kr I) was recorded in a pulsed inductive longitudinal discharge at an optimal pressure of approximately 0.05 torr. Laser generation on 4d → 5p and 6s → 5p transitions (at 1442, 1476, and 2524 nm) was also detected in pure krypton at pressures around 1 torr. Temporal lasing characteristics were investigated, showing that the optical pulse duration was 6 ± 1 ns (FWHM). The spatial beam profile had an elliptical shape with dimensions of approximately 6 ± 0.2 × 5.2 ± 0.2 mm. The pulse lasing energy did not exceed 3 μJ, corresponding to a peak power of about 600 W.