Laser action in xenon pumped by pulsed beams of runaway electrons

A report is given of the use of pulsed beams of runaway electrons for the pumping of gas lasers. Electron beams were generated inside a laser chamber. The average energy of these electrons was 1–4 keV. Lasing was observed as a result of the 3d₂–2p₇ transition in xenon. An analysis was made of the possibility of using runaway-electron beams in other types of gas laser.