HF and DF lasers by direct electrical discharge excitation

Abstract

Using a high‐current long‐pulse electron‐beam‐stabilized electrical discharge, laser oscillation has been observed on several vibration‐rotation bands of HF and DF in mixtures containing less than 1% HF or DF. Results in HF/argon mixtures with 10% added N₂, H₂, or D₂ established that HF is vibrationally pumped by direct electron impact and also by vibrational energy transfer from H₂. Rotational nonequilibrium as well as cascade coupling between 3 → 2 lines and 2 → 1 lines were inferred from the time sequence of the laser emission.