Abstract

It is shown that laser action at 3371 Å terminates in times t < (τ₃₂⁻¹ + Y₃)⁻¹, where τ₃₂ is the lifetime of the transition of C³π_u → B³π_g and Y₃ is the electron depopulation rate of the upper laser level. Following Gerry but including electron impact mixing of laser levels, rate equations, coupled to the circuit equation, were solved under saturation approximations. Assuming a Seaton excitation cross section between laser levels, with an effective Gaunt factor of 0.25, power and pulse width were in good agreement with Shipman’s values. The rate equations were also solved without recourse to the saturation approximation yielding excellent agreement with the saturation method during most of the pulse and indicating the existence of an early oscillation which is not predicted by the saturation approximation method. Finally, the inclusion of the electron impact ionization of the nitrogen molecule from the excited state C³π_u brings the pulse width to still better agreement with Shipman’s values.

© 1967 Optical Society of America

Measurements on the Molecular Nitrogen Pulsed Laser

Takahiro Kasuya and David R. Lide
Appl. Opt. 6(1) 69-80 (1967)

A Study of the Nitrogen Laser Power Density and Some Design Considerations

A. W. Ali
Appl. Opt. 8(5) 993-996 (1969)

Investigation of a Pulsed Molecular Nitrogen Laser at Low Temperature

C. A. Massone, M. Garavaglia, M. Gallardo, J. A. E. Calatroni, and A. A. Tagliaferri
Appl. Opt. 11(6) 1317-1328 (1972)

Pulsed uv nitrogen laser: dynamical behavior

P. Richter, J. D. Kimel, and G. C. Moulton
Appl. Opt. 15(3) 756-760 (1976)

H₂ Lyman and Werner Bands Laser Theory

A. W. Ali and Paul C. Kepple
Appl. Opt. 11(11) 2591-2596 (1972)