Influence of discharge circuit parameters on the repetition rate-energy output characteristics of a laser on self-terminating transitions of atomic copper

The excitation circuits of a copper vapour laser (CVL) with a partial or to tal discharge of the storage capacitor were analysed. Based on this analysi s, the effect of prepulse electron density on the repetition rate-energy ch aracteristics of a CVL was shown to be minimal when the following condition s are fulfilled: R > 2(L/C)(1/2) and L/R < tau(c) (for partial-discharge pu mp schemes; C is the storage capacitor capacity, L is the discharge circuit inductance, R is the prepulse resistance of the active medium, and tau(c) is the switch turn-on time) and for a high frequency of free oscillations i n the discharge circuit of a CVL. The conclusion was drawn that traditional pump schemes limit the energy capabilities of a CVL. The repetition rate-e nergy characteristics of a CVL can be improved by resorting to schemes with a shock or complex excitation circuit or their combination.