Small-signal gain of a pulsed large-volume CO2 amplifier

Measurements were made of the gain of a CO₂ amplifier with a 30×30 cm aperture. A homogeneous distribution of the gain (of maximum value 0.05 cm^–1) over the aperture was ensured by a polymer film which acted as the entry window for the electron beam. A simple method was developed for suppressing parasitic lasing due to feedback resulting from the scattering by the discharge chamber electrodes.