Waveguide CO2 laser with combined excitation by dc and transverse rf capacitance discharges

An investigation was made of a waveguide CO₂ laser excited by a combination of a high-voltage longitudinal dc discharge and a transverse rf capacitance discharge. The combined discharge filled more homogeneously the discharge channel with a plasma than did the dc and rf discharges separately. The dependences of the laser radiation power on the direct current were determined. The current-voltage characteristics were obtained for different values of the rf power. For certain ratios of the contributions of the dc and rf discharges, the former acquired the properties of a non-self-sustained discharge. A qualitative analysis of the effect was made.