Optimization of H/sub 2/-Ne buffer gas mixtures for copper vapor lasers

We present results of a detailed study comparing the effects of H/sub 2/ buffer gas additive on the output power and the spatio-temporal evolution of laser output produced by copper vapor lasers of varying aperture-size. We show that while the optimum H/sub 2/ concentration is relatively insensitive to the laser diameter, it is influenced by the type of resonator employed and the total neon buffer gas pressure.