Pulsed lasing during discharge in cadmium and mercury vapors

Lasing was achieved at four ionic transitions of Cd II (at wavelengths of 441.6, 533.7, and 537.8 nm) and Hg II (at 567.7 nm) by the pulsed excitation of these metal vapors in the positive column of a gas discharge without a buffer gas. Attention is given to changes in pumping mechanisms conditioned by changes in pressures of the buffer gases (helium and neon) in the range 0-50 mm.