XeCI laser excited by a high-current proton beam

An experimental investigation was made of the energy characteristics of an XeCI laser pumped by a high-current proton beam which deposited energies up to 1 J/cm³ in the gas mixture. The replacement of Ar (used as a buffer gas) with He increased the laser output energy and efficiency. The laser radiation energy obtained for a He:Xe:CCl₄ = 750:50:1 mixture was 1.5 J when the specific input energy was 15 J/liter and the lasing efficiency was 6%. "Overheating" of the mixture was observed at high input energies and this reduced the laser radiation energy and eventually quenched the lasing action.