Influence of an electric field on the energy characteristics of lasers utilizing the 1– system of the nitrogen molecule

It is shown that an increase in the output energy of an N₂⁺ (B–X) laser (λ = 391 and 428 nm) with electron-beam-controlled excitation is due to suppression of the process of recombination of He₂⁺ ions which competes with filling of the upper active level. The ultimate characteristics of electric-discharge pumping of such a laser are considered.