Recombination lasers with spatial variations in pumping

摘要

The small-signal gain from a recombination laser is increased by restricting the excitation of the laser amplifying medium to localized regions which are spatially separated from one another. The spatial separation between the regions of excitation provides for more efficient cooling of the plasma electrons in the excitation region and thereby increases the rate of recombination of these electrons with the ions of the laser amplifying medium. The efficient capture of electrons by ions enhances the population inversion of the laser transition in the laser amplifying medium.