Nanosecond pulse modulator for a transversely excited Cu laser

The results are given of an investigation of a nanosecond pulse modulator for a transversely excited Cu laser. The modulator switch took the form of an RU-62 spark gap, which enabled switching of pulses having a current of ~10 kA at a voltage of ~10 kV and with a pulse repetition frequency of up to 60 Hz. The laser output pulse energy was 15 mJ for a storage capacitance of 120 nF and a rate of rise of the current of 0.63×10¹¹ A/sec.