Laser oscillation on the green bands of XeO and KrO

Abstract

Laser oscillation has been observed on the green bands of the XeO and KrO excimers using direct electron beam excitation of high‐pressure Xe or Kr containing small concentrations of O₂. These bands are transitions between molecular levels correlating to the ¹S₀ and ¹D₂ metastable levels of atomic oxygen plus ground‐state Xe or Kr. The XeO laser emission is at a number of wavelengths between 5300 and 5550 Å, while the KrO emission is at a single wavelength near the free atom line at 5577 Å. Laser pulse energies of 10 mJ and peak powers of 100 kW are seen for both excimers.