A CW ion laser with supersonic transverse gas flow

The development of an argon-ion laser with supersonic transverse gas flow is reported, and a study of the output properties of the laser is presented. This new principle of producing the active medium, combined with existing methods for producing high-current low-pressure steady-state discharges, significantly extends the range of stable discharges and significantly increases the specific output power in the UV lines of doubly ionized argon. The intensity of spontaneous emission in various lines was investigated as a function of the discharge current, and the output power for the lines 3638 and 4880 A and the voltage across the tube were determined as a function of discharge current.