Nonchain electric-discharge HF (DF) laser with a high radiation energy

It is shown that a self-sustained volume discharge is possible in mixtures of SF₆ with hydrocarbons (or deuterated hydrocarbons) without special devices for the preionisation of the gas. This can be achieved with an extremely compact electrode system. Wide-aperture nonchain HF (DF) lasers with a high output radiation energy can be constructed on the basis of the discharge. It is reported that output energies of 144 J for HF and 115 J for DF were achieved in a system with a 21-litre active medium and an aperture of ~15 cm. The electric efficiencies were 2.8% and 2.2%, respectively.