Operation of a discharge-pumped KrF laser consisting of an all stainle
ss steel chamber and using pure argon as the buffer gas at subatmosphe
ric pressure is reported. The optimized pulse energy of approximately
50 mJ was achieved from about 60 cm3 active volume and at approximatel
y 36 kV charging voltage. The optimized pressure of the gas mixture wa
s about 800 mbar.