Ultranarrow linewidth, magnetically switched, long pulse, xenon chloride laser

Abstract

A spectral linewidth of <7×10−4 A and diffraction-limited beam divergence has been obtained from a long pulse, electric discharge xenon chloride laser with intracavity Fabry–Perot etalons. A gain duration of 100 ns provided for multipass operation of the etalons, significantly improving both contrast and finesse. The electrical discharge circuit required to produce this long gain duration was comprised of a pulse forming network, saturable inductor magnetic switch, and a tapered, constant impedance, interface transmission line.