Stimulated radiative dissociation and gain measurements of Xe 2Cl in solid xenon

Abstract

The molecular charge transfer states of Cl-doped solid xenon form an ideal four-level laser system. UV excitation on the molecular XeCl (Bi ← X) pair potentials leads to the formation of the diatomic exciplex which relaxes with a nearly unity quantum yield to the triatomic Xe + 2 Cl − (4 2Γ) state. The radiative dissociation of the triatomic exciplex can be stimulated to provide monoenergetic atoms ≈ 1 eV above ground. While these systems are characterized by large gain coefficients, scattering losses predominate in samples prepared by standard matrix isolation techniques. Scattering losses are due to the inability of the lattice to accommodate the excess kinetic energy released in the bound to repulsive transition of the triatomic exciplex.