Plasma physics issues in gas discharge laser development

An account is given of the interplay between partially ionized plasma physics and the development of gas discharge lasers. Gas discharge excitation has provided a wide array of laser devices extending from the soft X-ray region to the far infrared. The scaling of gas discharge lasers in power and energy also covers many orders of magnitude. The particular features of three regimes are discussed: short wavelength lasers (deep UV to soft X-ray), visible and near UV lasers, and infrared molecule gas lasers. The current status (fall, 1990) of these areas is reviewed and an assessment is made of future research topics that are perceived to be important