CONTINUOUS-WAVE EMISSION IN THE ULTRAVIOLET FROM DIATOMIC EXCIMERS INA MICRODISCHARGE

Emission on the I-2 (D'-->A'), XeI (B(2)Sigma(1/2)(+)-->X(2)Sigma(1/2) (+)) and XeO (2 (3)Pi-->1 (3)Pi) bands, peaking in the ultraviolet at 342, 253 and 238 nm, respectively, has been generated on a continuous basis in a microdischarge with a static gas fill. Discharges are produ ced in Kr/I-2, Xe/I-2, or Xe/O-2 gas mixtures by cylindrical devices 4 00 mu m in diameter and fabricated in silicon. Rare-gas-halide and -ox ide microdischarge lamps are attractive ultraviolet or vacuum ultravio let sources and XeI, in particular, appears to be a potential replacem ent for Hg resonance line radiation (253.7 nm). (C) 1998 American Inst itute of Physics.