Visible Laser Research and Analyses

This report summarizes the results of several studies relevant to the development of new electronic state lasers. Initial work was focussed on developing a diagnostic facility to perform laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. This facility was used to measure the radiative lifetime of the transient species HgBr. In a related effort a long path preionized discharge device was set up to explore alternatives to e-beam initiation. The operation of this device resulted in the first demonstration of discharge pumping of a rare gas halide laser, XeF. (Author)