Gain of a CO2 laser with a double transverse discharge at high input energy densities

The results are reported of measurements of the gain obtained at high input energy densities Q/p = 0.2–0.8 J·cm^–3·atm^–1. The gain is calculated on the assumption of a Boltzmann distribution of the vibrational modes of CO₂ and N₂. It is shown that the saturation of the gain with rising Q/p is due to a redistribution of the energy between the upper vibrational levels.