TheX2&Sgr;+1/2→B2&Sgr;+1/2absorption band of HgBr has been observed in the afterglow of a pulsed Ne‐N2‐HgBr2discharge. Peaking in the ultraviolet (UV) near 350 nm, this continuum degrades slowly to the red and at 410 nm the absorption coefficient is 30% of its maximum value. Upon exciting theX→Bband with an XeF (351 nm) or frequency tripled Nd:YAG (355 nm) laser, intense lasing is observed in the blue‐green (&lgr;∼502 nm). For &lgr;pump=351 nm, the energy conversion efficiency (UV to green) is 22% which corresponds to aphotonconversion efficiency of 32%. The quantum efficiency for this four level system is 71%.