Small-signal gain of CO2 lasers pumped by a self-sustained discharge

A study was made of the small-signal gain α of CO₂ lasers excited by a volume self-sustained discharge at pump energy densities up to 700 J · liter^–1 · atm^–1. Initiation of the discharge by a beam of accelerated electrons and previous filling of the discharge gap with electrons in the case of a long leading edge of the voltage pulses ensured more homogeneous pumping of the active medium compared with preionization by ultraviolet radiation in the case of voltage pulses with a short leading edge. It was established that the maximum value of α for a self-sustained discharge exceeded 5 m^–1 and was actually α = 8.2 m^–1.