Self-terminating barium ion laser at 614.2 nm

Experimental results of the laser operating on the barium ion self-terminating transition 6p(2)P(3/2)(o) - 5d(2)D(5/2) at lambda = 614.2 nm investigations are presented. Through a series of tests, we demonstrated a significant improvement of the output characteristics of this laser by employing (i) a novel high-voltage nanosecond switch capable to operate at high pulse repetition frequency (more than 50 kHz), and (ii) hydrogen addition to the active medium. Achieved steady-state average output power in the burst-mode operation amounted to 125 mW with laser pulse duration of asymptotic to 5 ns at half-maximum.