Gain measurements on the KrF(B to X), XeF(B to X), and XeF(C to A) laser transitions in an XeF(C to A) laser gas mixture

Optimum energy extraction from an electron-beam-pumped XeF(C to A) laser is achieved with a five-component rare gas halide mixture. The characterization and modeling of laser action in such a gas mixture requires a knowledge of small-signal gain and absorption coefficients not only on the blue-green XeF(C to A) transition, but also in the ultraviolet (UV) region for the competing XeF(B to X) and KrF(B to X) transitions. The authors report gain measurements on the XeF(C to A) transition and small-signal gain and absorption coefficients at or near both the XeF(B to X) (351 and 353 nm) and KrF(B to X) (248 nm) transitions. A study of the gain for the UV and visible transitions as a function of Kr and Xe partial pressure is reported, and its impact on the XeF(C to A) kinetics is discussed.<
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