X-ray preionization for electric discharge lasers

Abstract

Using x rays of 60–200‐keV photon energy (λ∼0.06–0.2 Å) as an ionizing radiation source in a transmission‐line‐driven low‐inductance discharge chamber, we have succeeded in generating spatially homogeneous pulsed avalanche discharges of several liter volume at greater than 1 atm pressure for up to 100‐nsec duration. In concurrent laser generation experiments with relatively lossy windows, we have observed high‐optical‐quality pulsed uv laser output of up to 2 J/liter from such discharges in rare‐gas/halogen mixtures, and ir laser output of up to 12.5 J/liter from a He/N₂/CO₂ mixture.