60-ns <i>E</i>-beam excitation of rare-gas halide lasers

Abstract

We have measured the intrinsic efficiency of ArF, KrF, XeCl, and XeF lasers using 60-ns e-beam pumping at an excitation rate of 1.5 MW/cm3. Efficiencies between 3 and 11% have been obtained. These values are shown to be limited by the time required to build up oscillation in the laser cavity, and we have demonstrated a technique which can be used to overcome this problem. Peak power efficiencies of these lasers are calculated to be in the range 5–15%.