XeCl discharge diagnostic by holographic interferometry

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00696201
• Publication Date: 2004-11-30T04:47:43Z
• Authors: A. De Angelis; P. Di Lazzaro; F. Garosi; G. Giordano; T. Letardi
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

A direct measurement of the electron-density time evolution in the active medium of a self-sustained XeCl laser discharge has been performed by means of the holographic interferometry technique. The time and space resolved behaviour of the discharge seems to confirm that the halogen depletion instability and the hot spots developing in the cathode region are the basic mechanisms which determine the premature termination of the output laser pulse.