An electric discharge emitter operating simultaneously in the 308 [XeCl(B-X)], 258 [Cl2(D′-A′)], 236 [XeCl(D-X)], 222 [KrCl(B-X)], 175 [ArCl(B-X)], and 160 [H2(B-X)] nm bands

An experiment to optimize an ultraviolet (UV)-vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) multiwave emitter using chlorine molecules and chlorides of heavy inert gases is reported. The emitting medium was an Ar-Kr-Cl2 or an Ar-Kr-Xe-Cl2 (HCl) mixture kept at a pressure ranging from 1 to 30 kPa. Excitation was effected by means of a transverse volume discharge with spark preionization. Emission spectra were examined. The dependences of the emission intensity on the total pressure of the medium, partial pressures of its components, charging voltage, and number of discharge pulses were studied. It is demonstrated that such a discharge emits simultaneously in the 308, 258, 236, 222, 175, and 160 nm bands due to the transitions XeCl(B-X), Cl2(D′-A′), XeCl(D-X), KrCl(B-X), ArCl(B-X), and H2(B-X), respectively. It was established that the respective intensities are close to each other if the partial pressures are as follows: PAr=10–20 kPa; PKr, Xe=0.4–0.6 kPa; PCl2=0.2–0.4 kPa, PHCl=0.08 kPa, and PH2=0.5–1.0 kPa. It was found that the addition of H2 to the medium decreases the intensities of the excimer bands, increases the emission resource (to 104 pulses or higher), and expands the operating wavelength range. The last-named effect is due to Lyman H2 bands (at 158–161 nm).