Laser activity of some alkyl mercury bromides

A study was made of the luminescence spectra (excited by a pulsed discharge with ultraviolet preionization) and of the absorption spectra (in the wavelength range 215–300 nm) of RHgBr vapors, where R = C₂H₅, iso-C₄H₉, and sec-C₄H₉. Pumping of media containing ethyl mercury bromide and isobutyl mercury bromide mixed with helium resulted in attainment of the lasing threshold for the B→X transition in HgBr molecules. The differences observed between the temperature dependences of the luminescence intensities of the investigated substances were attributed tentatively to different stabilities of RHgBr molecules exposed to the effects of a discharge plasma.