Stabilized TEA CO2 laser with double photopreionization and low-ionization-potential additives

An experimental investigation was made of the influence of various low-ionization-potential additives on the energy and electrical characteristics of a TEA CO₂ laser stabilized by the double preionization method. In the absence of additives the maximum input energy density was 900 J/liter; in the presence of triethylamine and diethylaniline at a pressure of 0.5 Torr the density increased to 1250 J/liter. When the vapor pressure of the additives was too high, the output energy of the laser decreased; the optimal vapor pressure of all the additives in our experiments was < 1 Torr at the atmospheric pressure of the laser gas mixture.