Simple and reliable ultraviolet-emitting molecular nitrogen laser

A nitrogen laser with a hydrogen thyratron switch was constructed. The output energy was up to 4.5 mJ per pulse of 12 nsec duration. The use of mass-manufactured elements ensured reliable operation of the laser and simplified its construction. The laser efficiency was 0.1%, the divergence of the output radiation in the electrode plane was 6×10^–3 rad and, at right-angles to this plane, it was 2×10^–3 rad. The time instability of the output pulses was ±3 nsec relative to the triggering pulses applied to the thyratron grid.