Au-II 282 nm segmented hollow-cathode laser-parametric studies and modeling

摘要

Laser operation on the Au-II 282.3 nm ultraviolet transition is obtained using a high-voltage segmented hollow-cathode discharge tube. The metal vapor is produced by means of cathode sputtering. A small amount of argon is added to the helium buffer gas in order to achieve higher sputtering yield. Measurements of the laser power and small signal gain indicate that the optimal partial concentration of argon is in the range of 0.25-0.75. Quasi-continuous wave output power of 100 mW is obtained from a 34-cm-long active region while the highest small-signal gain is 52 m(-1). To explain the basic features of the laser operation we present a model of the segmented hollow-cathode discharge. All the discharge characteristics are calculated in a self-consistent way except the temperature of slow electrons. The trajectories of fast electrons emitted from the cathode are followed by Monte Carlo simulation. Rate equations of ion, metastable and metal atom densities are solved in the negative glow, while another Monte Carlo code is applied for the fast heavy particles in the cathode sheath. The spatial distribution of the gas temperature and the thermalization of sputtered metal atoms are calculated as well. The laser characteristics predicted by the model are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics. References: 68