Formation of a self-sustained volume discharge with intense ultraviolet irradiation of the cathode region

An investigation was made of the influence of the voltage risetime on the characteristics of a selfsustained volume discharge in CO₂–N₂–He mixtures. When the region near the cathode was subjected to intense and prolonged ultraviolet irradiation, the use of a pumping regime with a deliberately prolonged voltage risetime made it possible to obtain a volume discharge in an electrode system having a highly inhomogeneous electric field at its edges, and to raise the CO₂ laser efficiency.