Experimental investigation of the atomic fluorine laser

Abstract

The atomic fluorine laser, as produced by a fast pulsed discharge in He-NF 3 mixtures, is investigated experimentally. Total collisional quenching rates of He 23S on NF 3 , BF 3 , CBrF 3 , CCIF 3 , CHF 3 , CF 4 , C 2 F 6 , CO 2 , SF 6 , and N 2 are reported. Upper limits for collisional quenching rates of He 21S, 23P, and 21P atoms on NF 3 are determined. We conclude that energy transfer from excited neutral He to NF 3 is not the primary pumping mechanism in the He-NF 3 atomic fluorine laser.