Use of a transverse microwave discharge in a compact efficient He–Ne laser

An investigation was made of the possibility of using a transverse microwave discharge in compact (active length 3–4 cm) efficient He–Ne lasers pumped by a transistorized microwave oscillator. An experimental study was made of the energy characteristics of such lasers. It was found that an increase in the frequency of the pump field increased the output power of the laser and reduced the required pump power, and also increased the degree of localization of the discharge inside the resonator.