The Nitrogen laser was first developed in 1963 and has been sold as a commercial product since 1972.

Laser Action:

The active medium in Nitrogen lasers is Nitrogen gas at pressures of 20 [torr] up to 1 [At].

In some Nitrogen lasers the gas flows in the tube, while others have a sealed tube.

Like most gas lasers, the Nitrogen laser is based on transitions between vibration energy levels, and is electrically excited.

The energy level diagram of the Nitrogen laser are shown in figure 6.8.