HgCd discharge studies. Final report, August 1, 1978-October 31, 1978

Investigation on the production HgCd* in an e-beam preionized quasi-stable discharge have theoretically predicted and experimentally demonstrated that fluorescence efficiencies of approx. 50% can be achieved. Spectra of the emission for a discharge pumped mixture of Cd/Hg/Ne show the HgCd* continuum peaking at 470 nm and absolute fluence measurements indicate [HgCd*] approx. 1016 cm3. Measurements of the gain/absorption of this mixed metal exciplex show absorption of the HgCd* excited state across the entire band. The absorption peaked at the blue end of the continuum (457 nm) and decreased to approx. 1% in 40 cm at the red end of the continuum