Discharge dissociation of Pb halides: pulsed Raman media

A low-temperature alternative to the Pb-vapor heat pipe is demonstrated by discharge dissociation of Pb halides. Pb densities of 5 × 10¹⁵ atoms/cm³ are generated at ˜550°C, compared with 1000°C in a Pb heat-pipe oven. This density, which is comparable with that required for stimulated Raman scattering of XeCl laser outputs in Pb, generates 455-nm radiation. The feasibility of this approach for generating a new form of Raman medium by using a short-lived dissociated medium, especially in refractory metals such as Ti, is discussed.