Electron beam pumped broad-band diatomic and triatomic excimer lasers

The spontaneous and stimulated emission characteristics of three recently reported broad-band blue-green rare gas-halide excimers, XeF (C→A) at 486 nm, Xe₂Cl at 518 nm, and Kr₂F centered at 436 nm, are reviewed. The influence of different halogen donors and buffer gases as well as optimization of both the gas mixture and optical resonator configuration for wavelength tuning were studied. The kinetic mechanisms which describes the formation and quenching of Xe₂Cl* are discussed. Problems with achieving optimum gain as well as understanding both molecular and atomic absorptions in electron beam excited rare gas-halide mixtures are detailed.