Saturation and discharge studies in the He-Cd laser

The results of experimental studies of the various saturation effects and of discharge processes that occur in He-Cd lasers are presented and interpreted. It was found that the laser output can be adequately described by means of the rate equations. Based on these rate equations and the experimental results, the output and configuration of the He-Cd laser may be optimized. An estimate of the transfer cross section between the helium metastable and the cadmium atom is also presented.