Efficiency of fast-electron-beam excitation of molecular electronic states of hydrogen in a hydrogen laser

An analysis is made of the efficiency of the excitation of molecular laser states in the vacuum ultraviolet by a beam of fast electrons. The efficiency is calculated for the whole laser cavity during one pulse. It is assumed that the electron energy is utilized optimally in a system in which the electrons are completely decelerated. Characteristics of specific collision processes are assumed and allowance is made for the secondary electrons of different generations. The total excitation efficiency of the laser states by the primary and secondary electrons is about 30%, and it approaches the limit for the quantum-mechanical system of a hydrogen laser (~50%).