A comprehensive kinetic model of the electron-beam-excited xenon chloride laser

Abstract

A new kinetics model capable of simulating performance of electron-beam-pumped xenon chloride lasers over the full range of experimental evidence is presented. The model comprises 202 chemical processes employing 41 species. Its operation is described and the full set of rate equations given. Calculations of stimulated emission and absorption cross sections for XeCl are presented, and simulations of various lasing results are shown in the context of explicating dominant processes. Major kinetics issues are examined, particularly those leading to the model’s rates for vibrational excitation of HCl and for electron quenching of the excited excimer molecule.