Electron beam induced light emission

Abstract

Electron beams with a particle energy of typically 12 keV are used for collisional excitation of dense gases. The electrons are sent through ceramic membranes of only 300 nm thickness into gas targets. Excimer light emission from the pure rare gases and from gas mixtures are studied for the development of brilliant VUV and UV light sources. The application of the technology for gas kinetic studies is described and its potential for building very small electron beam pumped lasers is discussed.