Three-body quenching of KrF* by Ar and broad-band emission at 415 nm

Abstract

A kinetic model for the formation and quenching of KrF* (2Σ1/2) that is applicable for electron-beam-excited mixtures of Ar/Kr/F2 containing ⩽15% Kr is presented. The product of the rate constant for the postulated three-body quenching process (KrF* +2 Ar→ArKrF*+Ar) and the KrF* lifetime is determined to be 5.2 ×10−40 cm6. An exchange reaction (Kr+ArKrF*→Kr2F*+Ar) rapidly leads to the formation of Kr2F* whose emission is observed in a broad band centered at 415 nm. The KrF* laser saturation flux is given in terms of measured parameters and the mixture number density; for a 1-atm mixture with 0.3% F2 and 1% Kr it is 0.85 MW/cm2.