Anomalous competition of λ=488 and 514.5 nm lines emitted by a cw argon laser

An experimental investigation was made of the frequency spectrum of the stimulated emission from an argon laser at λ=514.5 nm in the region of of anomalous competition with a line at λ=488 nm. The relationship between the frequency spectrum and the nature of the optical competition was determined. A mechanism explaining the anomalous interaction between these lines was put forward.