What order do the lines in an Ar-Ion appear as you increase current?

[Escher]

Just curious - as you up the power and more lines appear, what order do they appear in?

For example, mine is showing 5 lines, but I have no idea which they are... And what would be next if I could tweak it enough to get the sixth?

 

[Sigurthr]

Pull up a relative gain chart. The highest gain lines appear first - thermal, alignment, and pressure effects aside.

 

[Escher]

So based on this graph from spectra physics...

The order would be:
514.5
488
476
496
458
529

In that order, correct?

So for mine - the 529 isn't showing up then since I have 5 lines...

Correct me if I'm wrong.. Please!!

 

[ultimatekaiser]

That sounds correct. It's in order of gain highest to lowest usually, but it varies with the mirrors you use

 

[Sigurthr]

Yep, the 529 line is usually not available through standard ArIon mirrors, so discount that from the bat. For example my ArIon does 8 lines between 458 and 514.

 

[bloompyle]

This should clear up some confusion. The 454, and 529 lines will only come in on pristine units made for them. Though the 454 is more common than 529. I.E. I've actually seen a 9 line, never a 10 line.

If it lases 529, then it was specifically fabricated to do so. Though 454 can show in in just a healthy tube since it's not too far removed from the designated spectra.

Argon lines:

Wavelength......Relative Power......Absolute Power
------------------------------------------------
454.6 nm.........0.03....................0.8 W
457.9 nm.........0.06....................1.5 W
465.8 nm.........0.03....................0.8 W
472.7 nm.........0.05....................1.3 W
476.5 nm.........0.12....................3.0 W
488.0 nm.........0.32....................8.0 W
496.5 nm.........0.12....................3.0 W
501.7 nm.........0.07....................1.8 W
514.5 nm.........0.40....................10.0 W
528.7 nm.........0.07....................1.8 W

 

[COMMANDR]

See avatar

 

[hwang21]

At low current, 488nm has a higher gain than 514.5nm, but as you go a few A past idle 514.5nm has more gain so you'll see your argon dot go from a nice sea-turquoise ish to a more sea-green ish