Simplified High Voltage Hollow Cathode Discharge Tube for Excitation Source of Metal Vapor Lasers

A simplified high voltage hollow cathode discharge tube with internal helical anode system is newly proposed as an excitation source of metal vapor lasers. The radial distribution of luminous intensity emitted from this discharge tube is symmetric with respect to the axis. The current-voltage characteristics of this type of discharge can be continuously controlled by changing the distance between the threads of the helical anode.