Abstract
An Ar low‐pressure high‐current discharge (length=1.7 m, diameter=12 mm) was used for continuous high‐power operation of uv laser lines (λ=351.1 nm, 363.8 nm). The measured maximum output power of 18 W for both lines combined was restricted by thermal mirror degradation. Based on gain measurements, a maximum power of 35 W is predicted. It appears that this value is limited by discharge instabilities.

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