Abstract
A compact longitudinally excited atomic xenon laser excited by self-sustained discharge is constructed. The discharge is driven directly by a compact coaxial-type 4-stage Marx generator. Its spectral and performance characteristics are reported at low total pressures of 20-100 Torr. For mixtures of Ar/Xe, He/Ar/Xe, and He/Xe, the 2.03 and 2.65 μm lines are dominated in the laser spectrum. Other strong lines are also observed at 1.73, and 2.63 μm in the Ar/Xe mixture. In a low pressure operation the laser is found to be pumped by a direct electron impact excitation process rather than a rare-gas ion recombination process.
