Characteristics of CO2 laser media with a high level of pumping

Experimental results are reported on the augmentation of the power of a combined discharge in a CO2 laser medium at pressures of 5000 to 10,000 Pa. The energy pumped into the gas and the discharge power were 22 J/cu m-Pa and 100 W/cu cm, respectively, in the quasi-CW mode of operation. An analysis is presented of the dependence of the emission efficiency and power on the flow rate, composition, and pressure of the gas mixture, as well as on the electric and geometric parameters of the laser for the attained level of pumping. Results indicate the feasibility of obtaining specific output powers of approximately 10 W/cu cm at an efficiency of 10%.