Observations of gain and laser oscillation in the blue-green during direct pumping of XeF by microsecond electron beam pulses

Laser oscillation on the C-A transition of XeF has been observed during direct excitation of Ar/Xe/F2 and Kr/Xe/F2 mixtures by microsecond electron beam pulses. The measured output energy was of the order of 1 mJ, and the laser performance was limited by the small magnitude of the net gain. Measured net gains in Ar/Xe/F2 and Ne/Xe/NF3 mixtures were ≲5×10−4 cm−1 . Fluorescence and laser spectra of Ar/Xe/F2 mixtures exhibited numerous absorption features. The laser emission intensity was maximum at ∼485 nm with an approximate 12-nm (FWHM) bandwidth. Substitution of Kr for Ar diluent dramatically improved laser performance.