Stimulated emission in the vacuum ultraviolet region

A report is given of generation of laser radiation in the vacuum region by the excitation of condensed inert gases with an electron beam. Laser emission was achieved experimentally at λ = 1760 Å by the excitation of liquid xenon with a beam of 800 keV electrons. The threshold current density (30–50 A/cm²) was determined. The divergence of the emitted radiation (~7°) and the half-width of the stimulated line (~20 Å) were measured.