Calculation of three-dimensional distributions of current density, electric field and power deposition in externally sustained electrical discharges

In the design of larger and larger CO2 laser amplifiers, the problem of attaining the ideal uniform discharge in these large discharge volumes becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to solve. The practical solution is a compromise between uniformity and other design considerations. In order to judge the adequacy of each compromise, a method of predicting the distribution of current density and electric field throughout the discharge volume is needed. When these electrical distributions are known, population inversions can be calculated and the amplifier performance evaluated. A method of calculating the three-dimensional distributions of electric field and current density for externally sustained discharges is described.