Cs D₂ line laser (852.1 nm) pumped by the photoassociation of Cs-Ar, Cs-Kr, and Cs-Xe collision pairs: Impact of rare gas partner on threshold and efficiency

Cs atomic lasers, operating on the D₂ line and pumped by the photoassociation of Cs-rare gas thermal collision pairs, have been examined in mixtures of Cs vapor with Ar, Kr, or Xe. Photoexcitation of the B ²Σ⁺ - X ²Σ⁺ molecular transition (i.e., the blue satellite of the D₂ transition) at 836.7 nm (Cs-Ar), 841.1 nm (Cs-Kr), or 842.7 nm (Cs-Xe) yields lasers at 852.1 nm whose characteristics (optical-to-optical conversion efficiencies, pump energy threshold, and temperature dependence) are a reflection of the structure of the B ²Σ⁺ interatomic potential associated with each Cs-rare gas pair. Output pulse energies above 100 μJ are obtained from the Cs-Ar complex in the 493-513 K interval because of the height of the B ²Σ⁺ barrier in the Franck-Condon region for the pump, a molecular parameter also responsible for the robust temperature stability of the laser. Slope efficiencies (with respect to absorbed pump energy) of 17%, 12%, and 27% have been measured for Cs-Ar, Cs-Kr, and Cs-Xe pairs at 473 K, 453 K, and 453 K, respectively. The data reported here firmly link the performance of a photodissociation laser with the structure of the intermediate diatomic complex.