Electric discharge CO2 laser with a large radiating aperture

The use of intense bilateral ultraviolet illumination and of readily ionized organic substances established a stable self-sustained discharge in an 18-liter chamber with an interelectrode separation of 20 cm, a maximum voltage of 240 kV, and a molecular gas content of up to 40%. A specific output energy of 34 J/liter was achieved for an overall system efficiency of 17%.