Efficiency of ionic lasers with energy transfer from a buffer gas

An analysis is made of the various stages of conversion of the discharge energy into laser radiation in ionic lasers. Discharges in a hollow cathode and transverse high-frequency discharges are considered in the case of the two most effective pump mechanisms: charge transfer and Penning ionization of metal atoms. Calculations are made for lasers with a transverse discharge and with excitation in a positive column. A comparison is made with the experimental data on the efficiency of each of the stages and of the overall laser efficiency. The advantages of transversedischarge lasers are demonstrated and explained.