MODE LOCKING OF THE ARGON ION LASER IN THE ULTRAVIOLET

Abstract

The ultraviolet lines at 3511 and 3638 Å from an argon ion laser have been mode locked using an intracavity acousto‐optic modulator. Pulses of 0.2 nsec and 10‐mW average power have been obtained. Pulses of 0.17 nsec and 750‐mW average power at the strong 5145‐Å line are obtained in the same laser. These time durations and direct spectral observation demonstrate a larger bandwidth in the argon ion laser than previously reported.