Abstract: The present invention especially concerns the field of lasers. Specifically, the object of the invention is a process for the emission of pulsed laser radiation generated by at least one laser crystal which is located in a cavity containing a first and a second mirror and pumped by des pumping means, wherein said process includes a first stage which consists of generating a first pumping laser radiation with an intensity of Jc which is capable of bringing the crystal at least to the laser emission threshold and a second stage which consists of generating a second pumping laser radiation with an intensity of Jp in the form of a step, whereby said second radiation is superimposed, at least in part, on said first radiation or immediately succeeds it, and whereby the intensity Jp, in the latter case, is greater than the intensity Jc of said first radiation, as well as a laser source capable of activating said process.

Abstract: The present invention relates in particular to the field of lasers and in particular to a laser source having a neodymium-doped crystal (2; 23) or fiber and pumpable by pumping means (3; 25) and a non-linear Raman effect converter stimulated in methane (4; 32), characterized in that the crystal (2; 23) or fiber pumped by said pumping means (3; 25) is able to emit a laser radiation at a wavelength between 1.31 and 1.36 ?m and in that the Raman converter (4; 32) is able to convert the radiation generated by the crystal (2; 23) or by the fiber into at least one second radiation (7; 36) with a wavelength between 2 and 2.3 ?m.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of laser radiation generation in bands II and III, and relates to a device for generating laser radiation in the infrared having means for modifying the amplified-radiation frequency and using the Raman effect, characterized by additionally having at least one diode able to emit laser radiation in the 1.8-2.1 ?m frequency range, at least one current generator able to generate current levels at an adjustable repetition rate, means for supplying said current levels to said diode, and means for amplifying the laser radiation emitted by said diode and comprised of at least one fiber doped with an ion having laser activity in the diode emission range.

Abstract: The present invention especially concerns the field of lasers. Specifically, the object of the invention is a process for the emission of pulsed laser radiation generated by at least one laser crystal which is located in a cavity containing a first and a second mirror and pumped by des pumping means, wherein said process includes a first stage which consists of generating a first pumping laser radiation with an intensity of Jc which is capable of bringing the crystal at least to the laser emission threshold and a second stage which consists of generating a second pumping laser radiation with an intensity of Jp in the form of a step, whereby said second radiation is superimposed, at least in part, on said first radiation or immediately succeeds it, and whereby the intensity Jp, in the latter case, is greater than the intensity Jc of said first radiation, as well as a laser source capable of activating said process.

Abstract: The present invention relates in particular to the field of lasers and in particular to a laser source having a neodymium-doped crystal (2;23) or fiber and pumpable by pumping means (3; 25) and a non-linear Raman effect converter stimulated in methane (4; 32), characterized in that the crystal (2; 23) or fiber pumped by said pumping means (3; 25) is able to emit a laser radiation at a wavelength between 1.31 and 1.36 ?m and in that the Raman converter (4; 32) is able to convert the radiation generated by the crystal (2; 23) or by the fiber into at least one second radiation (7; 36) with a wavelength between 2 and 2.3 ?m.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of laser radiation generation in bands II and III, and relates to a device for generating laser radiation in the infrared having means for modifying the amplified-radiation frequency and using the Raman effect, characterized by additionally having at least one diode able to emit laser radiation in the 1.8-2.1 ?m frequency range, at least one current generator able to generate current levels at an adjustable repetition rate, means for supplying said current levels to said diode, and means for amplifying the laser radiation emitted by said diode and comprised of at least one fiber doped with an ion having laser activity in the diode emission range.

Abstract: The power supply of a laser tube which, according to the invention comprises devices for pulse formation and means for pulse triggering and is characterized in that it contains a pre-ionization circuit (4, 6) to form a pre-ionization pulse, and an excitation circuit (17, 22) to form an excitation pulse, and devices for synchronization (15) of the pre-ionization pulse and the excitation pulse.

Abstract: According to the invention, the metal vapor laser tube comprises a cylindrical plasma tube (1), which is located inside a leak-proof container (2) and which is surrounded by a thermal insulating material, an electrode (6) at each end of the plasma tube, and a cylindrical return conductor (9) coaxial to the plasma tube (1) which is connected with one of the electrodes, and characterized in that the return conductor (9) has a radius R of about: ##EQU1## where: e=exponential function,r=radius of the plasma tube, expressed in centimeters,dE/dV=energy density of the plasma, expressed in millijoules per cubic centimeter,ro=specific resistance of the plasma, expressed in Ohms.times.centimeter,U=electrical field, expressed in volts per centimeter.