Abstract

Photo-initiated chemical reactions in mixtures of Xe and Cl₂ have produced excimer states observed in emission at 308 (XeCl, B → X), 350 nm (XeCl, C → A), and 480 nm (Xe₂Cl, 4²Γ → 2²Γ). The reactions have been initiated with irradiation at 193, 248, and 308 nm and studied as a function of Xe, Cl₂, and buffer gas pressures and irradiating laser power. Irradiation with 308-nm laser pulses enhances production of XeCl B → X emission after a period of irradiation. Photolytic production of a long-lived intermediate state, XeCl₂, is postulated. Mechanisms and kinetics of the production of this state are reported and implications for development of short-wavelength lasers are discussed.

© 1986 Optical Society of America