Formation of nanosecond 100 GW radiation pulses in the TIR-1 $CO_2$ laser system

Experiments were carried out using a single-beam $CO_2$ laser system (designated TIR-1), comprising a master oscillator, an electrooptic switch, a system of amplifiers with optical gas filters, and a chamber for interactions with a target. Measurements were made of the energy characteristics of the laser beam and of the shape of a radiation pulse at different points in the system. Gas absorption cells, designed to suppress self-excitation in the amplifiers, were investigated. The dependence of the cell transmission on the energy of the incident radiation was determined. An analysis was made of the energy parameters and the efficiency of the system was calculated for various real operating regimes.