Performance characteristics of an excimer laser (XeCl) with single-stage magnetic pulse compression suitable for material processing applications are presented here. The laser incorporates in-built compact gas circulation and gas cooling to ensure fresh gas mixture between the electrodes for repetitive operation. A magnetically coupled tangential blower is used for gas circulation inside the laser chamber for repetitive operation. The exciter consists of C–C energy transfer circuit and thyratron is used as a high-voltage main switch with singlestage magnetic pulse compression (MPC) between thyratron and the laser electrodes. Low inductance of the laser head and uniform and intense pre-ionization are the main features of the electric circuit used in the laser. A 250 ns rise time voltage pulse was compressed to 100 ns duration with a single-stage magnetic pulse compressor using Ni–Zn ferrite cores. The laser can generate about 150 mJ at ∼100 Hz rep-rate reliably from a discharge volumeof 100 cm$^3$. 2D spatial laser beam profile generated is presented here. The profile shows that the laser beam is completely filled with flat-top which is suitable for material processing applications. The SEM image of the microhole generated on copper target is presented here.

We have measured the cross-section for the $K^{0}_{S}$ production from beryllium target using 120 GeV/c protons beam interactions at the main injector particle production (MIPP) experiment at Fermilab. The data were collected with target having a thickness of 0.94% of the nuclear interaction length. The $K^{0}_{S}$ inclusive differential cross-section in bins of momenta is presented covering momentum range from 0.4GeV/c to 30GeV/c. The measured inclusive $K^{0}_{S}$ production cross-section amounts to $39.54 \pm 1.46\delta_{stat} \pm 6.97\delta_{syst}$ mb and the value is compared with the prediction of FLUKA hadron production model.