New metal atom laser transitions in As, Bi, Ga, Ge, Hg, In, Pb, Sb, and Tl
A double discharge technique was used in the investigation. An initial discharge established between parallel arrays of tungsten pin electrodes was followed, after a variable time delay, by a high voltage (180 kV), short duration (50 nsec) secondary discharge between two aluminum main electrodes. Metal compounds, including metal alkyls, hydrides, and halides, were used to obtain the required metal atom concentrations. Twenty-four new laser transitions involving 9 different metal atoms were observed. The observed relations are shown in a number of partial energy-level diagrams.