title: Efficient population inversion in excimer states by supersonic expansion of discharge plasmas.
abstract: Laser emission at 126 nm has been obtained from excimers of Ar(2) excited electrically in a nozzle discharge followed by supersonic expansion. The direct measurement of light amplification with a tunable VUV probe leads to a gain of >3 cm(-1). This high gain arises from efficient population inversion of low vibrational and rotational levels of the excimer state brought about by the supersonic expansion and cooling of the discharge plasma.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Efthimiopoulos
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Stoicheff
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Thompson