Comparison of theory and experiment for nanosecond-pulse amplification in high-gain CO2 amplifier systems

Abstract
Short-pulse energy extraction measurements have been made on the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory three-stage amplifier system. The energy extraction from one, two, and all three stages was found to be in excellent agreement with a rate equation theory including rotational relaxation and beam expansion. Amplified pulse energies of up to 20 J in 1.5 nsec were obtained.