Global model capability study of EEDF modification of rare gas metastable laser reaction kinetics

Extending from revived interest in the study of diode-pumped alkali vapor lasers (DPAL), it was shown that optically pumping a rare gas metastable state can result in a population inversion with similar spectral characteristics to those making DPAL attractive¹. Both systems can be pumped incoherently resulting in a temporally coherent output while a rare gas laser (RGL) does not suffer the extremely reactive behavior of alkali metals. Metastable species are produced under electric discharge and are relatively inert with respect to buffer gases and system construction. We propose using controlled electron energy distributions (EEDF) to modify RGL efficiency and to potentially drive the gain mechanism without the need for intense optical pumping. Formation of the EEDF is dependent on electric discharge conditions and introduction of electron sources.