Efficient long pulse TE-CO2 laser using magnetic-spiker sustainer excitation

Abstract
Long pulse operation of a multijoule transverse‐electric‐CO2 laser using a magnetic‐spiker sustainer excitation in conjunction with a pulse forming network is described. The laser has produced 4.5 J in a 5 μs long pulse at a high efficiency of ∼10% from an active discharge volume of 416 cm3. The overall system is simple and reliable.