Power enhancement in argon II narrow-tube lasers due to zeeman effect by a transverse magnetic field

The role of the Zeeman effect for the power enhancement of a small-bore argon ion laser (488.0 nm) by applying the transverse magnetic field has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The σ-polarized laser has a larger output power than the π-polarized laser in the wide range of magnetic field strength. Specifically, at weak magnetic fields, enhancement occurred only for the σ-polarized laser. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of the semiclassical theory of the Zeeman laser. A narrow spectrum envelope is observed in the σ-polarized laser. In the case of internal mirrors without Brewster window, it is demonstrated experimentally that π and σ polarization coexist and compete with each other.