Optimization of power consumption for magnetic gain control in iodine lasers

The limitations of the magnetic method of controlling the lasing pulse duration in iodine lasers are examined. Procedures for optimizing the power consumption for magnetic gain control in a laser are described. The relationship between the power consumed in pumping and in producing the magnetic field as the dimensions of the active medium are varied is studied; the change in the amount of power consumption required to produce the field is estimated.