Cd(63S1→ 53P1) laser at 480 nm pumped by a transverse discharge

Lasing on the 6
³
S
1
→ 5
³
P
1
line of atomic cadmium at 480 nm has been observed under discharge excitation. Stimulated emission occurs in the afterglow of an ultraviolet (UV) preionized transverse discharge in mixtures of He and H
2
with Cd vapor. Lasing occurs only on the 480 nm transition due to selective quenching of the 5
³
P
1
state by H
2
. Therefore, H
2
appears to serve the same purpose in Cd as N
2
serves for the 6
³
P energy levels of Hg.