High power nuclear photon pumped laser

A high power nuclear photon pumped laser comprising a neutron source capable of producing at least 10.sup.15 neutrons in a 100 nsec to 100 .mu.sec pulse, a material means with a large neutron inelastic scattering cross section mounted adjacent said neutron source for converting neutron energy from said neutron source to gamma and X-ray energy, a moderator material means mounted adjacent said material means with said large neutron inelastic scattering cross section and away from said neutron source for further slowing the neutron energy from said neutron source, a reflector material means mounted relative to said moderator material means in such a manner to define with said moderator material means a chamber, gas tube means for confining an active gaseous medium, said tube means being transparent to photons and mounted in said chamber and having ends that project outside said chamber, means for defining a resonant cavity including cavity mirrors mounted at opposite ends of said tube means, one of said cavity mirrors being partially transparent from passing an output therethrough, said tube means having an active gas mixture therein which includes XeF.sub.2, and said chamber having a photon producing fluid therein that includes Xe, whereby when neutron energy is produced by said neutron source, energy therefrom acts on the photon producing fluid to produce photons which in turn act as a pumping means for said lasing gas mixture to cause a population inversion necessary for lasing.