Emission spectrum of an electric-discharge ClF laser

Experiments revealed a complex structure of the emission spectrum of an electric-discharge ClF laser, corresponding to the D' – A' transitions with a maximum near 285 nm. The vibrational bands in the emission spectrum overlapped at the base in the range 282 – 286 nm because of a high pressure in the gaseous active medium. Theoretical calculations were made and an interpretation was provided of the vibrational structure of the emission spectrum of the ClF molecules. The emission spectrum of the electric-discharge ClF laser was shown to consist of the 0 – 4, 0 – 5, 0 – 6, 1 – 6, 1 – 7, and 2 – 8 bands of the D' – A' transition. A total efficiency of 0.1% was achieved for the first time for the ClF laser and lasing was observed in a gaseous He – F₂ – BCl₃ active medium.