Discharge lasers pumped by generators with inductive energy storage

Generators with inductive energy storage units and semiconductor opening switches designed for laser excitation are described. Operation of the generators on a gas-discharge load is considered and possible excitation modes are discussed. A longitudinal N/sub 2/ laser, transverse discharge nonchain HF laser, and CO/sub 2/ laser are developed based on this pumping technique. Output energies of 0.6 J and 3.2 J and laser efficiencies of 5.5% and over 17% were demonstrated on H/sub 2/-SF/sub 6/ and He-CO/sub 2/-N/sub 2/ gas mixtures, respectively. High laser parameters obtained demonstrate the considerable promise of such inductive generators for pumping different gas lasers.