Theoretical simulation of physical processes in a discharge XeCl laser

Abstract

A self-consistent model of a self-sustained discharge XeCl laser with He buffer gas is described. The validity of the model is confirmed by comparing the results with the measured time dependences of electrical variables, the lasing pulse, the densities of XeCl*, Cl^-, Xe* as well as with the dependences of the laser output energy on the charging voltage and on the gas composition. For a gas pressure of 2.2 atm model optimisation of the energy density deposition and the length of the laser active medium (for a fixed stored energy of 7 J) is carried out. The quenching of XeCl* molecules by electrons is found to be the main factor limiting the enhancement of laser efficiency and output energy when the deposited energy density increases.