Electron-beam-controlled CO laser with supersonic flow of the active mixture

An electron-beam-controlled CO laser with supersonic flow of the active mixture was investigated. The specific output energy was up to 40 J g^–1 and the efficiency was 14% under quasi-cw (pulses up to 10 ms duration) operating conditions. The main mechanisms influencing the energy deposited in a non-self-sustained discharge under supersonic flow conditions were identified.