Conditions for the simultaneous formation of Ar, Kr, and Xe chlorides in a multiwave radiation source pumped by a transverse discharge

Conditions for the formation of ArCl(B), KrCl(B), XeCl(D, B), and Cl₂(D') molecules in a pulsed transverse discharge based on an Ar—Kr—Xe—Cl₂ mixture (p=2—30 kPa) were investigated. It is shown that the discharge is a multiwave source of VUV—UV radiation at λ =175, 222, 236, 258, and 308 nm in ArCl (B—X transition), KrCl (B—X), XeCl (D—X), Cl₂ (D'—A'), and XeCl (B—X), respectively. In order to obtain comparable brightness of the radiation as a result of the above transitions of the molecules at a moderate charging voltage (4—15 kV), the partial pressure of the Kr and Xe atoms in the mixture must be in the range 0.2—0.5 kPa. The discharge investigated is of interest for developing a multiwave electric-discharge-pumped radiation source based on chlorides of heavy rare gases emitting in the range 175—308 nm.