Long pulse operation of discharge-excited XeCl lasers

Abstract

An estimate is given for the range of specific power input over which fully cw operation of a discharge-excited XeCl laser may be possible. The estimate is based upon results obtained from a device which allows stable, arc-free discharges to be maintained for periods of 500 ns, resulting in laser pulse durations of 250 ns FWHM at 308 nm with energies up to 10 mJ. It is suggested that premature termination of both spontaneous emission and laser pulses at power input levels of 270 kWcm-3 can be explained in terms of HCl depletion in the active volume