Generation Mechanism of the UV Nitrogen Laser Pumped by a Pulsed Longitudinal Inductive Discharge

We discuss the mechanism of generation at the С³Π_u → B³Π_g transition of the second positive system of nitrogen molecule bands when pumped by a pulsed longitudinal inductive discharge. Based on an analysis of amplitude-time characteristics of spontaneous emission and lasing pulses from nitrogen molecules and of longitudinal inductive discharge current compared to similar characteristics at nitrogen pumping by a classical longitudinal electric discharge, it was found that the main mechanism for the formation of population inversion and laser generation at the С³Π_u → B³Π_g 2⁺ transition of the N₂ band system is direct excitation of nitrogen molecules by electron impact from the ground state.