Fluorescence emissions from mixtures of Hg with the noble gases

Abstract

Fluorescence emissions from mixtures of Hg with high pressure Xe, Kr, and Ar (∼1 torr Hg, 10³–10⁴ torr noble gas) have been studied using a short‐pulse relativistic electron beam as an excitation source. Hg–noble gas molecular bands were observed on the red sides of the Hg lines (1849 and 2537 Å) as well as on the red sides of the Hg visible lines (7 ³S₁→6 ³P_0,1,2). Temporal histories and production efficiencies of the molecular emissions were determined and a model was formulated for the time histories of the HgXe 2600 Å bands. Possible applications to high power laser systems are discussed.