Alkali-vapor light sources as optical pumps for Nd:YAG lasers

Pulse-operated light sources containing cesium, rubidium, potassium, sodium, and a sodium-rubidium mixture were evaluated for spectral output as optical pumps for Nd:YAG lasers. The results are compared with those obtained from conventional xenon and krypton flashlamps, The sodium-rubidium mixture has a maximum spectral-output efficiency over the four pumping regions of Nd:YAG that is twice as large as that of xenon, when operated under similar conditions of keep-alive field and pulse power. Sodium and potassium are highly competitive with both xenon and krypton. Cesium and rubidium appear attractive at low pressures (≅20 torr) and low pulse-power inputs (≅2 kW).