Compact long-life high PRF 722.9 nm neutral lead vapor laser

Several new construction techniques for a compact long-life high pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) 722.9 nm neutral lead vapor laser are described. A quartz discharge envelope, coaxial oven, and controlled semiself-heating techniques were employed. An average laser output power of 90 mW at a pulse repetition rate of 5 kHz has been obtained with a discharge efficiency of 0.03 percent.