Abstract
The output and discharge characteristics of an x-ray preionized Xe Cl laser with a pulse forming line (PFL), a rail-gap switch (RGS) and a pulse transmission line (PTL) in the excitation circuit are described in detail. It is found that the relatively large inductance of the RGS leads to the efficient energy deposition into the discharge plasmas when the RGS is placed between the PFL and the PTL. The laser system with a low output impedance of 0.26Ω has produced the maximum laser energy of 50 J in an 85-ns pulse (FWHM). The highest electrical efficiency obtained is 3.1%. The discharge stability is also discussed, based on the measurements of laser pulse-shape, laser energy and voltage on the laser electrode.
