ABSTRACT
We report a systematic time-resolved investigation of neonlike J=0-1 lasers by comparing prepulse-induced lasing in different materials (S, Cl, Ca, Ti, Ni, Cu and Zn) and at different driving energies in the main pulse and the prepulse. It is found that with a main pulse energy of 350±35J and a prepulse energy of 50±5J, the lasing pulse durations range from 140ps to 350ps for Z=30 to 16 and peak at 235ps-415ps before the peak of the L-band emission or the J=2-l lasing line. The pulse durations are quite insensitive to the energies of the main pulse and the prepulse. However, a lower driving main pulse energy brings lasing close to the peak of the L-band emission.
