Ion lasing in a radially inhomogeneous discharge

A semiclassical approach is used to investigate the influence of radial electric fields of a gas-discharge plasma on lasing and spectral characteristics of the radiation emitted by ion lasers. The ratio of the cross sections of the optical beam and discharge channel giving the maximum lasing power in a resonator with spherical mirrors is determined. An analysis is made of the influence of the fields on the profile of the Lamb dip and on an energy-induced repulsion of the lasing frequency.