Abstract: A method and means are disclosed for obtaining high pulse rate metal vapor laser transitions by vaporizing a metal halide of the desired metal. The vapor of the metal halide is transversely passed at at least sonic velocities through a discharge region where it is dissociated to provide a neutral metal atom excited to an upper laser level by electrons of sufficient energy to create resonance radiation trapping and a population inversion of the upper laser level. The flow rate is maintained to permit the excited metal atom to emit laser radiation by stimulated emission to a lower laser level in the discharge region and to remove the lower laser level atoms therefrom. Dissociation and excitation of the flowing metal atoms are repeated periodically.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for obtaining pulsed metal vapor laser transitions. The method comprises placing a metal halide of the desired metal within an enclosure and vaporizing the metal halide to provide a metal halide vapor. The metal halide vapor is thereafter dissociated to provide ground state metal atoms of sufficient number density to create a condition for resonance trapping and, substantially simultaneously therewith, ground state metal atoms are excited to an upper laser level, while maintaining a sufficient number in the ground state to preserve said resonance radiation trapping condition, with electrons sufficiently energized to create a population inversion between the upper and lower laser level. The excited metal atom is permitted to emit laser radiation by stimulated emission to a lower laser level and the emission is resonated, preferably between a pair of externally mounted mirrors.