Optimization of the discharge characteristics of a laser device employing a plasma electrode

Abstract

Discharge characteristics have been investigated of a laser device in which the surface-discharge plasma from a dielectric surface is used as a preionizer and an electrode, the plasma electrode. It is demonstrated that a highly homogeneous discharge can be obtained by optimizing the delay time of the main volume discharge with respect to the surface discharge. The output energy from the device used as a N2 laser is also discussed.