High-pressure infrared xenon laser with X-ray preionization

The first experimental results are presented of an X-ray preionized argon-buffered xenon laser. The X-rays are generated by a simple electron-beam device located below the 23-cm inner diameter laser chamber. The advantages of X-ray preionization for high-pressure discharge-pumped lasers include the long X-ray penetration depth, high preionization density, and spatial uniformity. The combination of X-ray preionization and techniques to eliminate surface flashover allows energetic operation in 4 atm of argon buffer for the first time in a photopreionized discharge laser. The argon-xenon mixtures lased primarily at 1.73 mu m and 2.63 mu m with a peak energy of 340 mJ at 4 atm, and a specific energy output of 0.85 J/liter.<>