Power increase of N2 uv and ir lasers by addition of SF6

Abstract

The output power and energy per pulse of transversely excited (TE) nitrogen lasers operating well over threshold on the 0.3371−μm transition in the C³Π_u−B³Π_g second positive system, and on near−infrared transitions in the B³Π_g−A³Σ⁺_u first positive system, have been found to be increased by more than 100% with the addition of SF₆ compared with those obtainable from N₂ alone. It is hypothesized that the increase in power results from a modification of the electron energy distribution by the SF₆ or discharge products of SF₆, to one that favors more efficient excitation of the C³Π_u and B³Π_g states of molecular nitrogen.