Long pulse operation of an x-ray preionized molecular fluorine laser excited by a prepulse–main pulse system with a magnetic switch

Abstract

The application of a prepulse–main pulse excitation scheme utilizing a saturable magnetic switch in combination with x-ray preionization has resulted in the generation of long optical pulses from a molecular fluorine laser. Optimum laser pulse durations of 70 ns (full width half maximum) have been obtained in a gas mixture of helium and 3 mbar fluorine at a total pressure of 2 bar. The laser pulse duration is limited by instabilities in the discharge. The laser pulse duration is found to decrease with increasing fluorine pressure and to saturate with increasing current density.