Inventors:
Charles A. Fenstermacher - Los Alamos NM
Keith Boyer - Los Alamos NM
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC
International Classification:
H01S 309
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for obtaining uniform, high-energy, large-volume electrical discharges in the lasing medium of a gas laser whereby a high-energy electron beam is used as an external ionization source to ionize substantially the entire volume of the lasing medium which is then readily pumped by means of an applied potential less than the breakdown voltage of the medium. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in CO. sub. 2 laser systems.