Powerful radiation on electronic IR transitions of rare gases in a simple TEA laser

The goal of this work is to show the prospects for a simple TEA laser excited by self-sustained discharge the same as a typical TEA CO₂ laser for generation of powerful pulses in rare gases (Xe, Kr, Ar, Ne) on IR electronic transitions. For this purpose the optimization of power and spectral parameters of such laser (working chamber - 65×2.5×1.8 cm) for four rare gases has been carried out. In result, powerful lasing on 15 lines in the range of 1-4 microns with the output energy on stronger of them has been achieved >10 mJ (peak power >0.2 MW). Estimations have shown that more detailed optimization of the pumping and the cavity will essentially raise energy performances of such laser. Preliminary experiments have confirmed prospects of the use of the simple TEA laser on electronic IR transitions of rare gases in a typical lidar system.