The processes limiting the pulse repetition rate in pulsed metal and metalcompound vapor lasers

A critical review of studies devoted to the analysis of factors limiting th e pulse repetition rate in metal and metal compound vapor lasers is provide d. The history of research into this problem is briefly described. The infl uence of different factors, such as gas heating, relaxation of the active m edium between pump pulses, determining the initial conditions for the next pump pulse, including relaxation of the electron temperature and density, a nd discharge evolution and level excitation during the pump pulse, is discu ssed. The results of analysis are illustrated by the example of a comprehen sively studied copper vapor laser. The influence of the prepulse population of lower laser (metastable) levels and the prepulse electron density is st udied. Metal and metal compound vapor lasers whose active media contain ele ctric-negative molecules are separately considered. Our analysis brings us to a conclusion that, if all the technical problems are solved and the cond itions of laser operation are chosen in a proper way, the pulse repetition rate in such lasers is limited by the prepulse population of lower laser le vels.