  Transformation of a table-top electron beam sustained 2.45 GHz RF discharge
in rare gases into a self burning discharge has been observed for increasing
RF-amplitude. Thereby, the emission spectrum undergoes significant changes in a
wide spectral range from the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to the near infrared. A
strong increase of VUV excimer emission is observed for the self burning
discharge. The so called first excimer continuum, in particular, shows a
drastic increase in intensity. For argon this effect results in a brilliant
light source emitting near the 105 nm short wavelength cutoff of LiF windows.
The appearance of a broad-band continuum in the UV and visible range as well as
effects of RF excitation on the atomic line radiation and the so called third
excimer continuum are briefly described.
