May 21 2013
Strontium vapour laser produces a high intensity pulsed wavelength having a wavelength of 430.5 nm. This wavelength falls in the blue-violet region of the visible region. The lasing medium is strontium metal gas. Laser action is observed when the strontium ions (Sr+) transition between the two infra red states. The laser action of strontium was first observed by Deech and Sanders at the Clarendon Laboratory, in the year 1968.
In order to attain population inversion, helium or neon is used as buffer gas. A pulsed electric discharge is used to excite strontium. The lasing medium consists of a small amount of strontium gas that is maintained in a relatively high pressure helium buffer gas.
Laser Properties
| Laser Properties |
| Laser type |
Metal-vapour |
| Pump source |
Pulsed electric discharge |
| Operating Wavelengths |
430.5 nm |
Applications
The applications of the helium selenium laser are limited. This laser is mainly used for scientific research. Some of the other applications of the strontium laser are in remote study of the meteorological parameters of the atmosphere.
References