Intense proton beam pumped gas lasers

Proton beam pumping of Ar-N2 and XeF lasers has been demonstrated. An intense proton beam, generated by a reflex tetrode, is injected into a high pressure gas cell through a 3 microns thick Mylar window. Stimulated emission is obtained from 95% Ar/5% N2 gas mixtures and from Xe/NF3 mixtures diluted by either argon, neon or helium. The XeF laser efficiencies appear to exceed those for transverse e-beam pumping. The use of proton beam excitation to obtain very high power levels may be possible.