Electron-beam-controlled pulse laser with an output energy of 500 J

The results are given of an investigation of the energy characteristics of an electron-beam controlled CO₂ laser with a working volume of 10 liter kept at a gas pressure of 1 atm. A cold-cathode electron gun was used to generate the electron beam which preionized the active medium. A study was made of the operation of the electron accelerator in the case of different systems of supplying the voltage to the electron gun. Measurements were made of the magnitude, duration, and uniformity of the electron-beam current which passed through Ti and Al foils on its way to the discharge chamber. The parameters of the output radiation of the laser were determined.