e-beam preionized mercury bromide dissociation laser

Abstract
An HgBr2/HgBr dissociation laser has been excited in an e‐beam preionized, self‐sustained discharge. Laser output of 100 mJ at 502 and 504 nm has been obtained with an overall efficiency of 0.5%. The steady‐state efficiency for formation of the HgBr (B) state in the Ne/N2/HgBr2 discharge is determined to be 4%. An optical gain to loss ratio of ∼ 14 at the laser wavelength is inferred.