Pumping of discharge gas lasers by generators with inductive energy storage and semiconducting opening switch

Generators with inductive energy storage units and semiconductor opening switches designed for laser excitation are described. Operation of the generators on gas-discharge load is considered and possible excitation modes are discussed. Longitudinal N2-laser with inductive energy storage unit and semiconductor opening switch is investigated. It is shown that pumping by 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. Besides the laser output energy may be increased by means of peaking capacitors connected in parallel with a discharge tube. Transverse discharge non-chain HF-laser and C02-laser are developed basing on this pumping technique. Output energy of 0,6 J and 3,2 J and the laser efficiency of 5,5% and over 17% were demonstrated on H2-SF6 and He-CO2-N2 gas mixtures, respectively. High laser parameters obtained demonstrate considerable promise of such inductive generators for pumping different gas lasers.