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The CdHg excimer has received attention as a possible efficient visible laser medium. In the experiments described here, a pulsed tunable laser was used to excite the Cd(5 3P1) atomic state, which forms CdHg excimers in three‐body collisions with Hg and Ar. Gain and absorption measurements were performed by using an argon‐ion laser to probe several wavelengths within the 470‐nm excimer emission band. Net absorption was observed at all wavelengths investigated. Acoustic and thermal disturbances which might mimic absorption have been carefully considered and it is determined that these are not important. We conclude that the CdHg excimer exhibits net absorption within its 470‐nm emission band. These results cast considerable doubt on the possibility of efficient laser action in CdHg.

Narrowband ultraviolet radiation from a frequency‐doubled dye laser has been used to control the linewidth and polarization of a long pulse length, electron‐beam‐excited XeF laser. Linewidths of 0.004 nm have been achieved in the 353‐nm band of the XeF B→X laser transition. Over 90% of the energy in the free‐running laser pulse has been extracted in the narrowband injection‐locked pulse. Ratios of injection signal power to output laser power on the order of 1:5000 are adequate for efficient injection‐locking to occur.