Experimental studies of a XeCl laser having UV preionization perpendicular and parallel to the electrode surfaces

This paper reports on the results of an experimental study of a XeCl laser having two independent preionizators which generated UV radiation into the active medium in the perpendicular and parallel directions to the electrode surfaces. Output energy and other parameters were measured using a single preionizator and two preionizators, changing the power supply polarity and varying the delay time between the preionization and the main discharge. When the preionization system generated photons only in the direction perpendicular to the electrode surfaces, a high discharge current and a high output laser energy were obtained. Besides, the diffusion coefficient of the photo-preionized electrons, played an important role in the laser behaviour, particularly when a consistent delay time between the onset time of the preionization and the main discharge was present.