Electric-discharge laser initiated in the active medium

An investigation was made of an electric-discharge CO2 laser initiated directly in the active medium. An energy output of 52 Jliter–1atm–1 was obtained when the efficiency was 25%. The maximum energy output recorded in these experiments was 62 Jliter–1atm–1. A preliminary discharge was initiated by fast electrons accelerated in a dense gas medium. The geometry of the excitation system could be varied and it could be employed to pump a laser with a different gas mixture.