Generation of intense 10-ps, 193-nm pulses using simple distributed feedback dye lasers and an ArF* amplifier

Abstract
A pair of holographic distributed feedback dye lasers is used to generate 10-ps pulses at two selected wavelengths that are mixed in a BBO crystal to produce a pulse ~ 10 ps in duration at 193 nm. This seed pulse is subsequently amplified in an ArF* excimer laser to an energy of 10–15 mJ with < 40 μJ in amplified spontaneous emission. The pulses are nearly transform limited and diffraction limited.