UV lasing on Cu/sup +/ in a Ne-CuBr pulsed longitudinal discharge

UV lasing on copper ion transitions in CuBr vapor laser has been obtained in a nanosecond pulsed longitudinal discharge with Brewster windows and external mirrors. A record small-signal gain per unit length has been achieved (up to 19%/m and 16%/m for the 238.6- and 270.3-nm transitions, respectively). Infrared (IR) laser action on Cu ions in a He-CuBr discharge and on Ag ions in a He-AgI (silver iodide) discharge has also been observed. A maximum average output power of 430 mW has been achieved multiline (740.4-780.8 nm) on the Cu+ IR transitions. A maximal gain of 58%/m has been obtained on the strongest 780.8-nm transition.