Nitrogen laser pumped by a longitudinal discharge from inductive and capacitative energy storage units

An experimental investigation was made of the influence of various pump-pulse generators on the output radiation power of a nitrogen laser (λ=337.1 nm) pumped by a longitudinal discharge. In addition to a magnetic switch and a semiconductor circuit-breaker, use was made of generators with inductive energy storage, with intermediate inductive energy storage, and with capacitative energy storage. Pumping by an inductive energy storage unit reduced the influence of the discharge circuit inductance and broadened the range of the operating pressures at which lasing was possible. Peaking capacitors, connected in parallel with a discharge tube, reduced the energy losses in the circuit-breaker and could increase laser output radiation energy. (lasers)