ROLE OF THE III(1/2)-II(1/2) TRANSITION IN RARE-GAS-HALIDE KINETICS

Rare-gas-halide spectra have previously been analyzed in terms of the strong III (1/2) -I (1/2) lasing transition and the weaker II (3/2) -I (3/2) broad continuum. However, the III (1/2) -II (1/2) transition is also a broad continuum that strongly overlaps the II(3/2) -I(3/2) transition and has an Einstein coefficient of a similar magnitude. The existence of this transition requires a reinterpretation of previous kinetic data on ArF, KrF, XeF, and XeCl. Simultaneous energy extraction from both the III (1/2) and II(3/2) states should be possible for lasing in the broad continuum.