The atomic xenon laser is among the most efficient and powerful of the near-infrared gas lasers, especially when pumped by molecular ions in an $\mathrm{Ar}\text{−}\mathrm{Xe}$ mixture. Accurate transition probabilities for the laser transitions are critical in developing a fundamental understanding of the inversion dynamics, gain, and power extraction of this device. We compare results from several methods of calculating transition probabilities for six laser lines ranging in wavelength from $1.733$ to $3.508\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{m}$. In some cases, our recommended values differ considerably from those employed in previous work.

• Received 4 April 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.74.012509