337 nm molecular nitrogen laser excited by pulsed inductive discharge

Lasing on electronic transitions of molecular nitrogen in pulsed inductively coupled plasma with radiation wavelength of 337 nm in the UV range of a spectrum is reported. The results of experimental investigations of the dependence of molecular nitrogen radiation intensity in the inductive discharge on the excitation parameters are presented. In the experiments pure nitrogen and its mixtures with He, Ne, Ar and CF2Cl2 have been used. The maximal output radiation energy of 1.2 mJ has been achieved at the excitation of pure nitrogen under the pressure of 0.3-0.4 Torr. The pulse duration (FWHM) was of 12 ± 1 ns and the peak pulse power was of 100 kW. The laser beam had a ring form with the divergence of 0.3 mrad. The instability of laser radiation pulses was of ±2%, at the stability of voltage amplitude in electric excitation system equal of ±2%.