Studies are reported of stable glow discharges in high‐pressure Hg vapors (?2 amagats) produced by a 20‐nsec ionizing electron beam pulse. The discharges were very stable and operated for 4–5 &mgr;sec after thee‐beam initiating pulse atE/Nvalues up to 8×10−17V cm2and discharge current densities of 4 A/cm2. Power loadings of 3–6 kW/cm3were typically obtained. An electron recombination coefficient of 7.4×10−9cm3 sec−1was measured. Strong continuum radiation from both the visible (4900 A˚) and UV (3350 A˚) bands of molecular Hg were observed. Absorption measurements from 4000 to 6764 A˚ are presented. No gain in this spectral region was ever detected. A peak absorption cross section at 4800 A˚ was estimated to be 2×10−16cm2. The implication of this absorption on other potential laser systems employing Hg as a buffer gas are discussed.