Electrical discharge instability in a waveguide CO laser

The results are presented of an experimental investigation of instabilities in the discharge of a waveguide CO laser. Studies were made of the period and amplitude of the oscillations and also of the limiting current as a function of the parameters of the external electrical circuit, the gas mixture composition, and the shape and position of the electrodes. An investigation was made of the lateral luminescence of the gas-discharge. It was found that the main form of an electric discharge instability involves reactive oscillations of the second kind (with abrupt termination of the current). Striations were observed during the initial operating period of the laser tube. Methods for eliminating the reactive oscillations are considered.