Laser action on the 2Σ+1/2→2Σ+1/2 bands of KrF and XeCl

Abstract

This letter describes two new lasers operating on the 2Σ+1/2→2Σ+1/2 bands of XeCl (at 308 nm) and KrF (at 249 nm). Pumping was achieved by high-intensity electron beam excitation of high-pressure Ar containing small amounts of Xe and Cl2 or Kr and F2. An efficiency of about 0.4% was observed in the initial experiments on KrF, and higher efficiencies appear possible.