Kr*₂excimer emission from multi-atmosphere discharges in Kr, Kr-He and Kr-Ne mixtures

Abstract

The authors present details of the design and performance of a UV pre-ionised transverse discharge device designed for operation at high gas pressures. Stable, arc-free glow discharges could be obtained in pulses of 50-200 ns duration in pure Kr at pressures up to 1.5 bar, and in Kr-Ne mixtures up to 10 bar. Strong emission in the VUV excimer band of Kr*2 in the region 130-160 nm was observed over a wide range of gas pressures, the intensity increasing approximately as the square of the pressure in pure Kr. Attempts to obtain laser action have not been successful to date.