Radio frequency quadrupole confined noble gas discharge laser

A typical multiple wavelength noble gas laser, like an argon ion laser, consists of a capacitively coupled high current density glow discharge in the presence of a magnetic field. The output power of a noble gas ion laser is extremely dependent on the current density of the discharge. Typical conditions of such a plasma are current densities (J) between 100 and 1000 A/cm². The upper laser level population N₂ varies as N₂~J₂. Recently, a new kind of plasma source for a noble ion gas laser was proposed by J. Christiansen and J. Jacoby. With this new configuration, high power radio frequency is inductively coupled via a coil into the plasma. To achieve a high current density the plasma was focused by a quadrupole magnetic field. The main advantages of this system are the electrodeless configuration to avoid impurities, and the high temperature and particle density in the centre of the discharge