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 J·liter^–1·atm^–1 was obtained when the efficiency was 25%. The maximum energy output recorded in these experiments was 62 J·liter^–1·atm^–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.