Abstract

This paper notes the possibility of producing stimulated magnetic dipole radiation in the near-infrared region in electric discharges. This possibility is due to quite large “naturally” occurring inversion found in electric discharges in gases possessing a metastable state lying above a radiating state to which it can radiate by a magnetic dipole transition. The heavier rare gases and the heavier alkaline earths, especially mercury, offer attractive possibilities. Population measurements of Koedam and Kruithof in mercury, and the simplified calculation presented here, indicate that the required inversions in mercury are within reach.

© 1963 Optical Society of America

Enhancement in Mercury–Krypton and Xenon–Krypton Gaseous Discharges

G. Grosof and R. Targ
Appl. Opt. 2(3) 299-302 (1963)

Light Output Observations on Low-Pressure Mercury-Vapor Discharges*

F. W. Crawford and H. R. Pagels
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 53(6) 734-740 (1963)

Light emission by magnetic and electric dipoles close to a plane dielectric interface. III. Radiation patterns of dipoles with arbitrary orientation

W. Lukosz
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 69(11) 1495-1503 (1979)

Light emission by magnetic and electric dipoles close to a plane interface. I. Total radiated power

W. Lukosz and R. E. Kunz
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 67(12) 1607-1615 (1977)

Decay of Intensity of Certain Hg Lines in an Hg–Ar Discharge*

Richard Anderson and Edward Stepp
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 53(10) 1139-1146 (1963)