Emission characteristics of an XeCl laser with x-ray preionization and quasi-cw excitation

A determination was made of the characteristics of an electric-discharge XeCl laser with x-ray preionization and quasi-cw excitation. An electrical line with ceramic capacitors was used for the first time as a storage device. A specific laser output energy of 3.25 J/liter and an efficiency of ~1.6% was achieved. Matching of the line and discharge gap impedances was found to be possible at high charging voltages by adding helium to the Ne–Xe–HCl active medium.