Study of a photochemical laser utilizing the XeO molecule

An experimental investigation was made of the performance of an XeO photochemical laser (stimulated emission wavelength 0.54 μ) operated at 160 °K. The observed dependence of the stimulated emission energy on the partial pressure of the N₂–Xe–Ar active medium components is discussed. A combination of components is found which gives a specific energy output of ~8 mJ/cm³ and a total output energy of 0.6 J.