Measurements of negative gain for Hg2 continuum radiation

Gain measurements have been made at wavelength intervals over the continuum bands of high-pressure mercury excited by a short high-intensity electron beam pulse. These measurements, which utilized both continuum and laser light sources, showed net absorption at all wavelengths tested. This indicates that Hg2* has a larger cross section for absorption than for stimulated emission to the repulsive ground state, and virtually elminates the chances of laser action on these transitions.