Electron-beam–ignited, high-frequency–driven vacuum ultraviolet excimer light source

¹ Physik Department E12, Technische Universität München - James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany, EU
² Physik Department E15, Technische Universität München - James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany, EU
³ Optimare Analytik GmbH & Co KG. - Ems-Str. 20, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany, EU

^a andreas.ulrich@ph.tum.de

Received: 15 March 2011
Accepted: 18 April 2011

Abstract

Transformation of a table-top electron-beam–sustained 2.45 GHz RF discharge in rare gases into a self-burning discharge has been observed for increasing RF amplitude. Thereby, the emission spectrum undergoes significant changes in a wide spectral range from the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to the near infrared. A strong increase of VUV excimer emission is observed for the self-burning discharge. The so-called first excimer continuum, in particular, shows a drastic increase in intensity. For argon this effect results in a brilliant light source emitting near the 105 nm short-wavelength cutoff of LiF windows. The appearance of a broad-band continuum in the UV and visible range as well as effects of RF excitation on the atomic line radiation and the so-called third excimer continuum are briefly described.