Optically pumped ultraviolet BR2 laser

A report is given of lasing achieved for the first time in optically pumped molecular bromine (D' ³Π_2g→A' ³Π_2u, λ_L ≈ 292 nm). It was pumped by thermal vacuum ultraviolet radiation emitted by plasmadynamic discharges of magnetoplasma compressors, formed directly in the laser active medium. An output energy of ~ 1.1 J was obtained per laser pulse of ~ 5-μs duration from a Br₂:Ar ≈ 1:450 active mixture at a pressure of ~ 4 atm. A comparison was made of the experimental output parameters of optically pumped Br₂, I₂, and XeF (B–X) lasers when their geometries and excitation energies were identical.