Excitation of transversely excited CO2 waveguide lasers

Abstract
Using a preionization scheme based on the Malter effect, small‐signal gains ≳5%/cm at 10.6 μm ahve been produced in a 1‐mm2‐cross‐section waveguide CO2 amplifier at total operating pressures of 100–760 Torr. Comparisons are made between this preionization scheme and those using electron beams.