High-repetition-rate closed-cycle rare gas electrical discharge laser

The recently developed technology of high-pressure molecular lasers has been combined with ultrahigh-vacuum technology to develop a fast-flow high-pressure laser system capable of long-duration closed-cycle operation with rare gases. The system’s economy, reliability, and capability for long-time operation at a high repetition rate make it suitable for avionics, space, and isotope separation applications. High-repetition-rate laser performance has been demonstrated in He–Xe, Ne–Xe, Ar–Xe, and Kr–Xe. Experimental results for high-pressure He–Xe mixtures are given.