Atomic laser action in rare gas-SF6mixtures

Pulsed-laser action is described on a number of atomic transitions of ArI, one of which has not been reported previously. The addition of SF6to Ar shifts the laser action in the Ar from the transition to six ArI transitions originating from the three lowest states of the electron configuration. Significant enhancement of the intensity is observed over that resulting from a discharge in pure argon. In addition, when a small amount of SF6is added to a He discharge, laser oscillation results from FI at 0.7129 μm. Increased SF6pressure produces an unidentified oscillation at 2.639 μm. These last two transitions have been observed also in He-NF3, He-CF4, and He-PF3mixtures.