Detachment instability of self-sustained volume discharge in active media of non-chain HF(DF) lasers

The development of detachment instability in active media of electric-discharge non-chain HF(DF) lasers due to the electron-impact detachment of electrons from negative ions is considered. This instability is initiated in large volumes of SF₆-based gas mixtures, spatially separated from electrodes and heated by a pulsed CO₂ laser. The self-organisation of self-sustained volume discharge upon laser heating, which results in the formation of quasi-periodic plasma structures within the discharge gap, is experimentally investigated. The evolution of these structures, depending on the gas temperature and specific deposition of electric energy, is analysed. The possible relationship between the self-organisation and detachment instability is discussed. A mechanism of development of single plasma channels in the working media of HF(DF) lasers, based on electron-impact destruction of negative ions is proposed.