Efficiency optimization for discharge-excited high-energy excimer laser

A unique, x‐ray preionized, electric discharge‐excited XeCl laser was designed, constructed and optimized for the purpose of demonstrating high laser efficiencies. Several parallel‐plate water pulse‐forming networks (PFNs) were evaluated experimentally. A parametric study was performed with a douBle‐sided blumlein configuration and was supported by computer modeling.High energy transfer efficiency from the PFN to the discharge plasma requires fast avalanche discharge formation as well as good impedance matching between PFN (source) and discharge (load). This paper establishes the fact that conventional PFNs cannot satisfy these two conditions simultaneously. By employing a separate pulse for breaking down the gas quickly and an impedance‐matched pulse forming line for transferring most of the pump energy, the transfer efficiency was almost doubled, and the laser efficiency goal of 3% was exceeded.