Formation of Xesup(*)2 by collision pair absorption at 158 nm

Pair absorption from colliding Xe atoms of the molecular fluorine laser radiation is reported. The absorption coefficient for this process at 300 K was found to be α = (4.32 +- 0.1) x 10-9 Torr-2 cm-1. Fluorescence at 172 nm originating predominantly from the 1Σ+sub(u) state of Xesup(*)2 indicates that by this mechanism the Xe dimer laser can be pumped optically. (orig.)