Atmospheric-pressure H2-F2 laser initiated by electron beam irradiated discharge

The authors have measured pulse energy and power versus time for the output of an HF laser pumped by the H2 - F2 chain reaction. Noble-gas-diluted atmospheric pressure mixtures were initiated uniformly with the use of a transverse electrical discharge established by partially ionizing the gas mixture with a burst of high energy electrons. As primary objectives, the authors sought to demonstrate atmospheric pressure operation and a laser output comparable to the electrical energy supplied for initiation. Performance as a function of several parameters was studied.