Instability onset in electron-beam-sustained KrF* laser discharges

Measurements of instability onset in a spatially uniform electron-beam-sustained KrF* laser discharge have shown that the time at which instability occurs decreases from about 1 to 0.1 μsec as E/n is increased in the range required for efficient laser operation. This finding is in good agreement with computed ionization instability onset times determined on the basis of a comprehensive model of the discharge.