Excitation of cadmium sulfide crystals by electron impact in an atmospheric pulse discharge

Cadmium sulfide optical resonators were pumped at atmospheric pressure by an electron flux generated in nanosecond gas discharges. The resonators were excited at –40°C, –50°C, and at room temperature. The emission maximum was located in the region of 521 nm and its halfwidth was 1.5 nm. This pumping method could be used in the end-resonator and radiating-mirror configurations. The method could be used in nonevacuated electron-impact excited semiconductor lasers of size approaching injection lasers but capable of emitting considerably higher powers than injection lasers.