HF and DF laser action by a pulsed microwave discharge

A pulsed electrodeless microwave discharge with -field enhancement by a tapered waveguide has been employed to produce HF and DF laser radiation from premixtutes of SF6+ H6and SF6+ D2. The 720 patm (690 patm) HF (DF) laser had an average multiline output power of 6 mW (1 mW) for an efficiency of 0.1 percent (0.02 percent) while operating at 1 kHz (450 Hz) pulse-repetition frequency (PRF). The HF (DF) laser was operated at reduced output power and efficiency up to 4.2 kHz (2.5 kHz) PRF. Reduced HF laser efficiency was obtained when C3H8was substituted for H2.