Use of x-ray radiation to preionize the active medium in high-pressure gas lasers

Estimates are given of the ionization of a gas by x-ray radiation and it is shown that it is possible to lower the x-ray quantum energy to 50 keV with no significant loss in the utilization efficiency of the radiation. The results are given of an experimental investigation of an XeCl laser using x-ray preionization. The specific output energy obtained (> 1 J/liter) confirmed the efficiency of using X rays for preionization. The state of the surfaces and of the electrode design influenced the output energy.