Experimental studies of self-suppression of vacuum ultraviolet generation in Xe

Vacuum ultraviolet light in the range 116 nm to 117 nm was produced by using a two-photon resonant four-wave mixing scheme in Xe. The buildup of coherent cancellation of the two-photon resonant transition employed in the generation of the vacuum ultraviolet, with resulting limitations imposed on the achievable vacuum ultraviolet intensity was investigated. Under certain predicted conditions, increases in the intensity of one of the pumping beams, ∼1500 nm infrared, or tuning this beam towards resonance with the 5p57s(3/2)1 level of Xe led, not to increases, but decreases in the vacuum ultraviolet generated. 3 refs., 3 figs