Pulser/sustainer electric-discharge laser

Abstract

An electric‐discharge concept is discussed which uncouples electron density from electron temperature to allow production of stable uniform electric laser discharges at higher pressure and in larger volumes than those stabilized by surface effects. Experimental results from both small‐ and large‐scale devices prove both pressure and volume scaling of electric power input and laser power output. Focusing experiments with the large device indicate laser medium homogeneity sufficiently good to support better than 90% of theoretical diffraction‐limited focal‐power densities.