Self-heated, multiple-metal-vapor laser

The design and performance of a self-heated metal-vapor laser utilizing copper, gold, and copper plus gold as active laser materials are described. A total average power of 17 mW at a pulse-repetition rate of 1.7 kHz was obtained simultaneously at 5106 Å (green), 5782 Å (yellow), and 6278 Å (red). The purpose of the research reported here was to obtain multiple-wavelength laser operation by mixing, in a single laser tube, metals known to lase individually. The design and operating characteristics of a discharge-heated metal-vapor laser utilizing copper, gold, or a mixture of copper and gold as the active laser materials are described. Although gold has been used as the active laser material previously, we believe this is the first report of a self-sustained (the only source of heat to vaporize the metal is the discharge used to excite it) gold-vapor laser and the first report of a multiple-metal-vapor laser.