VUV radiation of heteronuclear dimers and its amplification in the plasma of high-voltage nanosecond discharges initiated by runaway electrons in Ar–Xe mixture

Abstract

Narrowband VUV radiation (near a wavelength of 147 nm), corresponding to the optical transition of a heteronuclear dimer ArXe*, was recorded from plasma formed during the excitation of an Ar–Xe mixture at a pressure of 400 mbar by a high-voltage nanosecond discharge initiated by runaway electrons. Amplifying properties of the discharge plasma related to this radiation were found.