Systematic experimental study of instabilities in the sealed CO2 laser

A systematic pressure-current experimental study of the wave instability regions in glow-discharge of different CO₂ laser mixtures has been accomplished. The forward ionization wave F^– has been found to be the main instability. At low currents (< 30 mA) and higher pressures (> 550 Pa) the laser discharge becomes stable. The highest output power at a given mixture ratio was achieved in these quiet regions. The normalized electric field dependences of wavenumber, phase and group velocities of the F^– wave are presented.