Efficient discharge pumping of an XeCl laser using a high-voltage prepulse

Abstract

A laser efficiency of 4.2% at 4.2-J output has been obtained from a self-sustained discharge-pumped XeCl laser using a novel high-voltage prepulse technique to provide efficient energy transfer from a low-impedance transmission line to the load. High-pressure discharge-pumped lasers now offer a reliable, efficient, and scalable alternative to e beams for many applications in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum.