Threshold and rate equation considerations for a H+-Cs charge-exchange laser

A VUV lasing scheme employing charge-exchange between H+ ions and Cs atoms is discussed. An approximate set of rate equations is described and numerically solved to determine the conditions under which the threshold for laser action might be achieved. The requited density and sharpness of both the H+ and Cs pulses and the expected characteristics of the laser output under various initial conditions are determined from the solution of these equations.