Spectral and time characteristics of radiation from a chemical H2–SF6 laser initiated by an electron beam

An investigation was made of the spectral and time characteristics of an SF₆–H₂ laser initiated by a high-power electron beam. The time-integrated emission spectrum of the HF laser was determined by recording a thermal relief on a photographic film. The time characteristics were obtained employing pyroelectric sensors with a high time resolution (less than 5 ns). Lasing was found to occur far from a rotational equilibrium.