HIGH-GAIN HOLLOW-CATHODE METAL-ION LASERS FOR THE UV AND VUV

The segmented hollow-cathode pumping discharge gives a higher gain on the He-Cu+ 781, He-Au+ 282, and Ne-Cu+ 270-nm lines at lower discharge current and input power than do the conventional hollow-cathode, holl ow anode cathode and helical hollow-cathode discharges. The segmented hollow-cathode offers the prospect of compact low-cost repetitively pu lsed UV laser for applications to biomedical and other spectroscopical ly-based instrumentation. The projections for increasing the gain on t he He-Cu+ VUV lines indicate that laser action on one or more of these lines may be achieved.