Thomson scattering investigation of the plasma in a carbon dioxide gas-discharge laser

The results are reported of an experimental investigation of the electron density and temperature in the plasma of a sealed CO₂ gas-discharge laser. The investigation was carried out using the Thomson scattering and a ruby laser as a radiation source. The Thomson scattered radiation was recorded with a time-selective photon counter. A FÉU–79 photomultiplier, operated in the "one-eiectron" regime, was used as the detector of the scattered light.