Quantum Electronics
Relaxation of the 6p2P03/2metastable state in a self-terminating thallium laser
Petr A. Bokhan, Д Э Закревский, V A Kim
Abstract
We present the results of an experimental study of a Tl vapour/Ar mixture as an active medium. Under optical excitation of thallium to the 6d 2 D 3/2 state, we have achieved lasing at λ = 1.3 μm (7p 2 P 0 1/2 — 7s 2 S 1/2 transition) and 535 nm (7s 2 S 1/2 — 6p 2 P 0 3/2 ) through cascade transitions from the 6d 2 D 3/2 state to the upper laser levels. The electron deexcitation rate of the 6p 2 P 0 3/2 metastable state is no slower than 1.5×10 -8 cm 3 s -1 , meaning that this process cannot prevent self-terminating laser action at the 7s 2 S 1/2 — 6p 2 P 0 3/2 transition under electron-beam pumping at pulse repetition rates up to 100 kHz.