Abstract
Comparison of the XeCl laser output performances using various rare gas mixtures as the diluent gas is described. The electron densities in the discharge-pumped XeCl laser using Ne, He, and Ne/Ar diluents are determined by measuring the Stark half-width of the Hβ line. The excitation mechanism of the discharge-pumpedXeCl laser using Ne/Ar diluent is discussed from the viewpoint of the electron energy distribution functions. It is shown that for the Ne/Ar diluent the higher electron density and the higher mean electron energy can lead to the efficient lasing at relatively low pressures.
