Pulsed Gas Lasers Pumped by a Runaway Electron Initiated Discharge

Abstract

The generation parameters are investigated in a runaway electron preionized diffuse discharge (REP DD). Laser generation is produced in different spectral bands from the IR to VUV range. New modes of the nitrogen laser operation are obtained. Ultimate efficiencies of N₂- and nonchain HF(DF)-lasers are achieved. A possibility of increasing the pulse durations of XeF-, KrF-, ArF- and VUV F₂- lasers (157 nm) in an oscillating REP DD is shown. The efficiencies of VUV- and UV-generation comparable with that of a laser pumped by a self-sustained volume discharge with preionization are gained.