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-pul se generators on the output radiation power of a nitrogen laser (lambda = 3 37.1 nm) pumped by a longitudinal discharge. In addition to a magnetic swit ch and a semiconductor circuit-breaker, use was made of generators with ind uctive energy storage, with intermediate inductive energy storage, and with capacitative energy storage. Pumping by an inductive energy storage unit r educed the influence of the discharge circuit inductance and broadened the range of the operating pressures at which lasing was possible. Peaking capa citors, connected in parallel with a discharge tube, reduced the energy los ses in the circuit-breaker and could increase laser output radiation energy .