CHARACTERISTICS OF A PULSE-PERIODIC XECL LASER WITH A SYSTEM FOR REGENERATION OF THE GAS-MIXTURE

The energy characteristics, lifetime, and quality of the output radiat ion of a typical XeCl laser were investigated. Two maxima were observe d for the first time in the dependence of the radiation energy on the ratio of the peaking and storage capacitances. The reasons for the app earance of these maxima were identified. Data on mirror contamination and on cyclic operation led to the conclusion that initially (up to 10 (6) shots) the main reason for the fall in the laser radiation power w as the appearance of fine particles in the active medium. The effectiv eness of a new system for regeneration of the working mixture of gases was demonstrated: this mixture did not require cryogenic apparatus an d was capable of maintaining the required concentration of HCl molecul es. The system also prevented the appearance of fine particles and of a number of undesirable molecular impurities. The use of an unstable t elescopic cavity with asymmetric coupling-out of the radiation made it possible, even in the case of a relatively simple configuration, to f ocus the radiation in a small (similar to 10 mu m) spot.