High gain at 10.6 μm from an electron‐beam‐controlled pulsed discharge

The production of high gain at a wavelength of 10.6 μm in CO2–N2 gas mixtures at pressures up to 300 kPa (3 atm) has been demonstrated using brief ionizing pulses from a gas‐discharge electron gun and a low‐inductance circuit to supply energy to the gas mixture. Increased gain, up to 10 m−1, has been achieved with mixtures containing H2.