On a Mechanism for Limiting the Frequency and Energy Characteristics of Lasers on Self-terminating Transitions of Metal Atoms

Abstract

Electrophysical approach to estimation of conditions for efficient pumping of active medium of lasers on selfterminating transitions of metal atoms in a gas discharge tube with electrodes in cold buffer zones is used. Existence of processes that enhance the effect of the well-known mechanism of limitation of radiation frequency and energy characteristics caused by the presence of a pre-pulse electron concentration in the discharge circuit of lasers on self-terminating transitions of metal atoms is demonstrated. The mechanism of influence of these processes on frequency and energy characteristics of lasers on self-terminating transitions of metal atoms and the technical methods of neutralization of these processes are considered. It is shown that the practical efficiency of a copper vapor laser can attain ~10% under conditions of neutralization of these processes.