Measurements of some reaction rates of importance in KrF lasers

A flowing afterglow method has been used to study a number of reactions of importance in KrF lasers using NF₃ as the fluorine donor. Total rate constants are reported for Kr^*(³ P ₂)+NF₃ and Kr⁺+NF₃. The thermal energy attachment coefficient has been measured for NF₃ and the cross section for the electron excitation process Kr^*(³ P ₂) +e→Kr^*(³ P ₁)+e has been estimated. The relevance of these results to discharge pumped KrF lasers is discussed.