The homogeneity of a stabilized discharge-pumped XeCl* laser

A spatially one-dimensional model including a parallel resistor description of the discharge plasma is used to study the effect of an inhomogeneous preionization on an improved discharge-pumped XeCl* laser arrangement. The special pumping technique of this laser discharge is based on the additional use of a stabilizing low-current preliminary dis charge. The model takes into account the time-dependent electron Boltzmann equation including electron-electron interaction for the determination of the electron kinetics, an extensive reaction kinetics involving various heavy particles and photons, and the relevant electrical circuit equations. The study has shown that density perturbations of preionization electrons lead to the inhomogeneity of the discharge plasma and the laser output. Furthermore, the impact of the spatial distribution of preionization electrons, of the HCl portion of the gas mixture; and of a low-current preliminary discharge for the discharge operation is discussed.