Correlation between output power and composition of discharge products in a water vapor laser

Experiments on continuous-flow water-vapor gas-discharge lasers indicated that the maximum of the output power at λ = 27.9 μ corresponded to the maximum of the concentration of molecular hydrogen and oxygen formed as a result of decomposition of water vapor. Laser emission from water vapor occurred when the degree of decomposition at the exit from the discharge tube reached at least 70%. The influence of the products of decomposition and of the discharge current on the output power was analyzed.