Efficient Discharge-Pumped XeCl Laser with Automatic Preionization

Abstract

Considerable improvements in efficiency of a compact UV-preionized discharge XeCl laser have been achieved by possible operation at relatively low charging voltage V for high pressure P of HCl/Xe/Ne gas mixtures. An overall efficiency of 2.9% (output energy 280 mJ) has been obtained at V=18 kV and P=4 atm. The maximum output energy of 680 mJ has been extracted with the overall efficiency of 1.8% in 20 ns (FWHM) pulses at V=36 kV and P=6 atm. The simple design and reliable performance are described of the discharge XeCl laser with no auxiliary preionization circuits.