Abstract

It is well known that the ability of atoms to form molecules as a result of the interaction with one another is governed by their electronic structure. Consequently, the excitation or ionization of an atom can alter its reactivity. Ionic excimer molecules, such as rare-gas alkali ions which are isoelectronic to rare-gas dimers, were proposed to extend the working wavelength of the conventional excimer lasers to the VUV & XUV regions.¹ Fluorescences from alkali-halide and rare-gas alkali ionic excimers have been reported by ion-beam and laser-produced plasma pumping.^2,3 Laser action with such molecular species, however, requires high excited-state densities and effective volume. This should be feasible by electron beam pumping. As a preliminary step toward development of such ionic excimer lasers, we report for the observation of bound-free emissions from Xe⁺Li, Kr⁺Li, Xe⁺Rb, Kr⁺Rb, Xe⁺Cs, and Kr⁺Cs by relativistic electron beam pumping.

© 1995 IEEE