Lifetime of Helium-Neon Lasers

Abstract

Experiments have been performed in order to ascertain the factors affecting the lifetime of an rf excited, internal reflector, helium‐neon laser oscillating at λ6328 Å. Using the results of the experiment it has been found possible to make practical lasers of simple design having lifetimes of over 1000 h operation. This performance has been achieved by improving the reflectors and by adjusting discharge conditions and gas filling to optimum.