Compact N2 laser with magnetic pulse compression

A study was made of a discharge cell of an N₂ laser with an inside diameter of 1.5 mm and a length of 20 cm, excited by a longitudinal discharge, a TGI-1000/25 thyratron, and a three-stage magnetic-compression line. The compression ratio of the line was 5 at a pulse rise time of 6 ns. Magnetic-compression lines can be very efficient in pumping a compact, low-pressure N₂ laser. A pulsed laser output power of 15 kW was reached. The length of the laser pulse was 3 ns. An efficiency of 1 % was achieved in the conversion of energy in the peaking capacitor into laser energy.