An accurate determination of the radial distribution of gain at 633 nm in small bore helium-neon discharges

Abstract

A sensitive technique for the determination of optical gain in a DC discharge is outlined. This technique has permitted an investigation of the radial distribution of optical gain at 633 nm in a 3 mm bore discharge with a spatial resolution of around 120 mu m. Results are presented which illustrate the behaviour of this distribution with gas pressure and current.