Optimisation of the energy characteristics of Penning electron-beam-pumped lasers based on the 3p–3s transitions in the Ne atom

The energy characteristics of high-pressure (up to 10 bar) electron-beam-pumped lasers were optimised. These lasers operated on the basis of the 3p–3s transitions in the Ne I atom resulting in the emission at the wavelengths λ = 585, 703, and 725 nm when the active medium was pumped by an electron beam with the current density 1.7 A cm^-2 in the form of pulses of 5 μs duration. A record specific output energy of 0.15 J litre^-1 (energy of 1.5 J) was achieved at the 725 nm wavelength. The pressure dependence of the spectral width of the laser radiation was determined at λ = 585 and 725 nm.