354-nm laser action on XeF

Abstract

This letter reports laser action on the xenon monofluoride 2Σ1/2→2Σ1/2 band at 354 nm. Lasing on discrete vibrational bands has been achieved by pulse excitation of high-pressure mixtures of F2/Xe/Ar with an electron beam. XeF is a member of a new class of diatmoic molecules, the noble gas monohalides, which all exhibit similar molecular structure and spectra, and laser action should be attainable on the various bands of other members of this class of molecules. The kinetics and loss mechanisms of these laser candidates are briefly discussed.