Time-resolved output spectrum from a hydrogen fluoride laser using mixtures of SF6and HI

The time-resolved spectrum from a transverse-discharge hydrogen fluoride (HF) laser using a mixture of SF
6
and HI is reported. Because this spectrum matches that from a high-pressure H
2
- F
2
laser, and because the SF
2
-HI mixture is chemically stable, this laser should be a suitable and convenient source for probing H
2
- F
2
amplifiers.