Pulse-periodic SPER laser utilizing transitions in Cd atoms

Pulse-periodic operation was achieved for the first time in a segmented plasma excitation and recombination (SPER) laser utilizing transitions in Cd I atoms (λ = 1.43 and 3.955 μm) in a metal vapor. The average laser radiation power was 36 and 20 mW at the wavelengths λ = 1.43 and 3.955 μm, respectively when the repetition frequency of the pump pulses was 2 kHz. Mechanisms setting the upper limit to the repetition frequency of the pump pulses were considered. Experimental estimates were obtained of the maximum frequency of a pulse-periodic laser and ways of increasing its output energy characteristics were considered.