Double-sided high-energy electron-beam-controlled CO2-laser amplifier

The structure of a double-sided CO2 laser amplifier controlled by an electron beam is described, and preliminary test results on it are discussed. The dependence of the small signal gain on the charging voltage of the supply battery, on the reduced pumping yield, on the density of the energy introduced into the system, on the pressure of the mixture, and on the distance between the cathode and the anode of the electron gun is addressed. The test results show that the magnitude of the small signal gain coefficient and some features of the amplifier operation are decided principally by the pulse duration of the electron gun and the value of the reduced pumping field. These results suggest that the amplifier parameters could be improved by prolonging the electron pulse and by using a supply system in the main circuit to increase the range of the charging voltage.