Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (...)

Paul W Pace

Pierre R Mathieu

James M Cruickshank

The specification describes an improvement in transversely excited lasers having a laser discharge channel in which a pair of opposed, elongated main discharge electrodes are longitudinally disposed in transversely spaced relation, the improvement comprising the provision of means associated with the electrodes defining a first electrical current flow path between the electrodes, providing at least one longitudinally extending discharge gap in the channel and having an electrical impedance which is less than the electrical impedance of lasing material in the chamber prior to excitation thereof whereby upon application of a high energy, high voltage pulse to one of the electrodes, electrical current flows initially through the associated means and produces a longitudinal, substantially uninterrupted, uniform glow discharge along the gap, the discharge reducing the electrical impedance of the lasing material to a value below that of the associated means whereupon the main glow discharge is effected.

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Neufchatel, Canada

Paul W Pace