Waveguide HF laser

A purely electrical activation mechanism for HF lasers was investigated, whereby HF molecules are vibrationally excited through inelastic electron collisions in a discharge plasma. The plasma is generated by a transverse discharge inside a 1 x 1 mm rectangular channel of 8 cm length filled with a mixture of HF and an inert diluent gas. To obtain the desired plasma condition auxiliary high energy electrons are injected into the plasma. Initial flourescence measurements for pulsed excitation indicate that further increases in the excitation rate are necessary. The remainder of this program will be concerned with tow measures to enhance the excitation rate (1) stretching of the discharge pulse to attain better quantum energy storage, and (2) seeding of the plasma with hydrogen gas which transfers its excitation to the HF molecules.