The optogalvanic effect in a copper-vapour pulsed laser as well as the opto
thermal effects due to a hysteresis of the optogalvanic effect were observe
d for the first time. The generalised rate constant for the deexcitation of
a resonant level to the ionisation state of the active medium was estimate
d to be [sigma nu] similar to (3 +/- 1)x 10(-7) cm(3) s(-1).