Abstract

Third harmonic conversion of XeF laser radiation has the potential of providing high energy pulses in the vacuum ultraviolet. At conversion efficiencies similar to those reported for other systems in this same wavelength range, of the order of 0.2%,¹ and at energy levels that are presently available in commercial lasers (400 mJ), pulse energies at 117 nm of the order of 0.5 – 1.0 mJ are possible. We report here the first observation of third harmonic conversion of XeF laser radiation. Initial studies have identified a conversion medium with the negative dispersion required for phase matching and have indicated the presence of a saturation mechanism due to an intensity dependent refractive index.

© 1983 Optical Society of America