Maximum input energy and field intensity in continuously operating electron-beam-controlled discharges in molecular gases

Abstract

An experimental study was made of the maximum field intensity and input energy that can be achieved in continuous electron-beam-controlled discharges in nitrogen and in active mixtures of CO2 and CO lasers. It was found that the maximum field intensity was governed by the specific input energy and by the degree of inhomogeneity of the pumping. In the case of CO laser mixtures the reduced input energy was 3–4 times higher than in electron-beam-controlled CO2 lasers because of the low proportion of the energy consumed in heating a gas (δ ≈ 0.25).