Saturation studies of the E-beam sustained discharge atomic xenon laser

In an electron beam sustained discharge xenon laser the discharge energy deposition has been varied in order to investigate the saturation effect on the xenon laser. The current density of the electron beam is varied separately in the range of 0.1-2.7 A/cm2 to obtain optimized discharge excitation conditions as a function of electron beam current density and gas pressure. An optimal fractional ionization f=3.5-4×10-5 is found, independent of the electron beam parameters. The synergy of electron beam and discharge excitation has resulted in a maximum specific energy of 15 J/l at a total gas pressure of 9 ba