Characterization of a high-uniformity, X-ray preionized XeCl laser

The construction and the operating characteristics of a X-ray preionized discharge XeCl laser are described. A specific laser output energy of 3.3 J/l with a pulsewidth of 150 ns and a spatial beam uniformity better than 90% in a (3.5×3.5) cm2 cross-section was achieved. Intrinsic efficiency up to 3.6% has been obtained without the use of an external prepulse circuit. A fast, high-voltage prepulse to intensify the preionization has been successfully tried out, obtaining a better energy coupling to the gas and more reliable conditions at lower working voltage.