Abstract

Using high-pressure, transversely excited (TE), electric discharges copper vapor lasers can generate specific output powers of 50 µJ.cm^-3,1 which are considerably higher than those obtained using longitudinally excited electric-discharge excitation (typically up to -12 µJ.cm^-3).² However, the development of TE copper lasers has lagged behind because of technological problems in maintaining stable, uniform discharges under the conditions required for laser oscillation. Microwave discharges, on the other hand, offer a promising alternative to conventional TE electric discharges for pumping high-pressure gas lasers. Stable high-power discharges can readily be produced in the high-pressure gases used in laser excitation (e.g., Kef. 3). Furthermore, the electrode less nature of microwave discharges eliminates the introduction of impurities into the discharge as a result of electrode sputtering, or because of the reactions of the electrodes with the laser gas components.

© 1993 Optical Society of America