Investigation of the parameters of discharges in nitrogen and air intended for fast-flow CO2 lasers

An experimental investigation was made of the energy characteristics of a gas-discharge chamber for a fastflow CO₂ laser. The dependences of the specific energy deposited in the discharge on the H₂ additive, and on the temperature and velocity of the gas were demonstrated. The investigated discharge chamber was found to be capable of operating effectively at pressures p ≥ 100 Torr.