Neon laser with wavelength $\lambda$ = 585.3 nm pumped by pulsed inductive longitudinal discharge

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the energy, temporal, and spatial characteristics of the Penning neon laser generation ($\lambda$ = 585.3 nm) pumped by a pulsed inductive longitudinal discharge. A Ne–H$_2$ gas mixture was used as an active medium. The maximum generation energy of 0.14 mJ was obtained in a Ne:H$_2$ – 1:2 mixture. The radiation power reached 700 W with an optical generation pulse duration of 200 ns (FWHM). The laser beam had a cross-sectional shape close to a circle with a divergence of no more than 2 mrad. Based on the analysis of the amplitude-temporal characteristics of laser generation and inductive discharge current pulses, it is assumed that laser generation at a wavelength of 585.3 nm in a pulsed inductive longitudinal discharge occurs as a result of population of the upper laser level by electron impact, with Penning purification of the lower laser level by hydrogen molecules.