Nuclear‐pumped 3He‐Ar laser excited by the 3He(n,p)3H reaction

A volumetric direct nuclear‐pumped laser has been achieved for the first time by using the 3He(n,p)3H reaction to excite a 3He‐Ar laser. Lasing was achieved at 1.79 μ in Ar I at total pressures ranging from 200 to 700 Torr with 10% Ar, demonstrating stable high‐pressure lasing. Laser energy output increased with both increasing total pressure and thermal neutron flux.