Abstract

Laser action in the atomic xenon laser has been observed on six transitions between 5d(upper) and Bp (lower) manifolds spanning the wavelength range of 1.73-3.51 μm. When using Ar/Xe mixtures at pressures of ≥0.5 atm, intrinsic laser efficiencies of ≥5% have been obtained with a variety of pumping schemes (e.g., e-beam, e-beam sustained discharge, and fission fragment). Laser efficiency and the lasing spectrum, however, are ’ sensitive functions of the gas pressure, mixture, and power deposition; and their dependences are generally only empirically known.

© 1989 Optical Society of America