Single- and double-pulse experiments on the Sr+cyclic ion laser

Single- and double-pulse experiments have been conducted on a moderately large bore (19 mm) Sr+ cyclic ion laser oscillating at 1033 and 1092 nm. The dependence of the output energy on the bore temperature, buffer gas (HE) pressure, discharge capacitance, discharge voltage, and timing between successive pulses was determined. Saturation in the output energy as both the capacitance and voltage are increased is observed. An empirical exponential dependence of the energy on the discharge voltage was demonstrated. Results from the double-pulse experiments indicate that the Sr+ laser terminal levels depopulate much faster than do the Sr+ ions in the ground state, so that the efficiency of the laser increases as the interpulse delay time is decreased to 50 μs, and so that this laser system would be capable of more efficient operation at PRF in the region of 20 kHz, even in a large bore tube.