Emission of I₂^* molecules in a barrier discharge

The energy and spectral emission characteristics of a barrier discharge are studied in mixtures of inert gases with iodine vapour. The emission spectrum exhibits a strong 342-nm D' → A' molecular band of the I₂^* molecule, the 206.2-nm resonance line of iodine, and a group of emission bands of iodine. Small admixtures of Ne (5%) to the Ar – I₂ mixture increase the emission efficiency and power by a factor of 2–2.5. A sealed off I₂ excilamp with the emission maximum at 342 nm is fabricated.