UV lasers on N2–SF6 and N2–NF3 mixtures pumped by transverse and longitudional discharges

Lasers on the second positive nitrogen system (the C³Π_u–B³Π_g electronic band, λ = 337.1 and 357.7 nm) are studied. Mixtures of nitrogen with electronegative gases (SF₆ and NF₃) are pumped by transverse and longitudinal discharges. The amplitude–time and spectral characteristics of a laser pumped from capacitive and inductive energy storage units are measured. The output energies of the laser pumped by a transverse discharge from a capacitive and inductive storage units are 17 and 18.4 mJ, respectively. It is shown that the mean output energy in N₂–NF₃ mixtures continues to increase at higher pulse repetition rates than in nitrogen. Under the pumping by a transverse discharge, two-peak 357.7-nm lasing with a total pulse duration of >40 ns is achieved. It is established that adding SF₆ to the mixture enhances the output power of a longitudinal-discharge-pumped nitrogen laser.