Spectral and temporal characteristics of the radiation emitted by a fast-flow electric-discharge CO2 laser

Experimental and theoretical investigations were made of the spectral and temporal characteristics of the radiation emitted by a cw fast-flow electric-discharge CO₂ laser. A discharge chamber, separate from the cavity, was filled with a nitrogen-helium mixture at pressures of 6.5 — 12 kPa. When the input energy was above 200 J g^–1, simultaneous steady-state stimulated emission of the P(22), P(20), and P(18) lines was observed. At input energies up to 100 J g^–1 the laser radiation had a broader spectrum.