An X-ray pre-ionized molecular fluorine laser with a large discharge cross-section

High energy extraction from UV pre-ionized molecular fluorine lasers is hampered by the short period of discharge stability and the spatial inhomogeneity of the discharge. So far stable discharge operation is reported for small discharge cross sections with an area less then 0.8 cm(2) and efficiencies in the order of 0.15 %. To increase the energy extraction of the molecular fluorine laser the discharge cross section should be enlarged. Here we report on the successful operation of a molecular fluorine laser with a large discharge cross section of 1.5 x 2.4 cm(2) (electrode spacing x discharge width) which operates at a high intrinsic efficiency of 0.45 %. Crucial for obtaining this result is die development of a short pulse, high intensity X-ray pre-ionization source.