Abstract: Unusual power enhancement and a plurality of output wavelengths in the visible or near-infrared regions are obtained simultaneously from a laser in which the vapors of two or more Group II-B metal halides are dissociatively excited either in an electrical discharge or by photodissociation by an external laser. By using halides involving only one metal and/or halogen isotope, the power output is greater than that obtainable with natural abundance salts. The laser output is also more confined spectrally. Over 50% of the power is contained in one or two spectrally narrow lines that are associated with a particular metal halide molecule.

Abstract: The efficiency of pulsed laser systems is enhanced substantially by injecting a minor amount of radiation energy into the system .DELTA.t seconds prior to the emergence of the laser pulse. The degree of power enhancement is a function of both radiation wavelength and time delay.