Problem of achieving population inversion in a short electric discharge in inert gases at high pressures

A theoretical analysis is made of the possibility of achieving a population inversion between the levels of bound and repulsive states of inert gas molecules under ionization conditions in a high-pressure electric discharge. A quasisteady electron energy distribution function is obtained. A study is made of the kinetics of the ionization discharge regime in inert gases and an estimate is obtained of the ultimate population inversion which may be achieved in a gas kept at a given pressure and subjected to a given electric field. Theoretical estimates of the ultimate population inversion and gain of bound-repulsive ³∑⁺_u–¹∑⁺_g transitions in xenon molecules are obtained under the conditions of self-sustaining and non-self-sustaining discharges.