Lasing on the 5s2 2D5/2 → 5p 2P3/2 Cd II ion transition upon sputtering of metal cadmium by nuclear particles

A basically new method for direct conversion of the energy of nuclear reactions into laser radiation is considered. The method is based on the use of the emission of excited ions (or atoms) produced by bombarding a solid by charged particles produced in nuclear reactions. The results of an experimental study of the emission of excited Cd II ions and Cd I atoms are presented for metal cadmium irradiated by α particles from ²³⁸Pu. When cadmium was heated to a temperature T > 160°C (at least 0.5 T_m, where T_m is the melting temperature), the emission of Cd II ions, which are predominantly in the 4d⁹ 5s^{2 2}D_5/2,3/2 states, and resonantly excited Cd I atoms was observed.