Radiative-collision laser amplifier in helium-nitrogen.

Through the use of radiative collisions, sometimes called photon-induced collisions, and the autoionizing properties of N(2)*(X, nu), a system using He-N(2) is presented as a high-efficiency (~15%) ultraviolet laser amplifier when an intense (>1 MW/cm(2)) photon field, tuned to the transition of interest, is directed into the system. The model is described using rate-equation analysis, and calculations are presented to describe this system.