High-power discharge in Na-Xe vapor

Abstract
High-power (10–100 MW/liter) pulsed discharges in Na-doped Xe vapor have been studied at Na densities of 1015–1016 cm−3 and Xe densities of 1019–1020 cm−3, as appropriate for excimer-laser use. Stable steady-state discharges are obtained for a number of microseconds in a small-volume cell, without use of preionization or sustainers. This stability is attributed to the observed positive V-I characteristic. Measured spectra are interpreted to yield Na excited-state densities, and the implications for a potential excimer laser are discussed.