Discharge lasers pumped by generators with inductive energy storage

Generators with inductive energy storage units and semiconductor opening sw itches designed for laser excitation are described. Operation of the genera tors on a gas-discharge load is considered and possible excitation modes ar e discussed. A longitudinal N-2 laser, transverse discharge nonchain HF las er, and CO laser are developed based on this pumping technique. Output ener gies of 0.6 J and 3.2 J and laser efficiencies of 5.5% and over 17% were de monstrated on H-2-SF6 and He-CO2-N-2 gas mixtures, respectively. High laser parameters obtained demonstrate the considerable promise of such inductive generators for pumping different gas lasers.