The use of surface corona discharges to excite high-pressure gas-lasers

Abstract

A stabilization technique for the production of homogeneous gas discharge at high pressures has been developed. The technique is based on photo-pre-ionization from a corona-type surface-discharge. It was possible to develop a number of laser systems based on this stabilization principle, which exceeded the performance of conventional systems in many respects. This paper provides a summary of the most important properties and principles of the surface discharges. Four laser systems utilizing this stabilization method are also discussed.