The N2+waveguide laser experiment and theory

The operation of an N+
2
ion waveguide laser (4278 Å) excited by charge transfer from He+
2
created in a capacitively coupled self-sustained discharge is described. In addition, the results of an experimental diagnostic program and a computer modeling program, conducted to explain the general operations of the discharge pumped He-N
2
system, are presented. The results of this program indicate upper laser level electron quenching and lower level pumping may be seriously limiting the achievable laser efficiency of this system. During the course of this study, it was found necessary to measure the pressure broadening coefficient of the N+
2
(B) \rightarrow
N+
2
(
X
) emission" by He. The value of this coefficient was found to be 3.5 MHz/torr ± 0.7 MHz.