Amplification of a short HF laser pulse by a discharge initiated chain reaction amplifier

We have carried out both numerical and experimental studies of amplification of a short pulse of HF non-chain laser by a chain reaction amplifier. A small aperture laser was used as the master oscillator and a large aperture (100 cm 2 ) one was used as an amplifier. Both lasers were discharge initiated. Output pulse shape and energy have been studied as a function of discharge triggering delay and gas mixture composition. Obtained results show that, in spite of the known differences of both spectral and temporal characteristics of non-chain and chain lasers, it is possible to create a high power HF MOPA system with pulse duration less than 100 ns, technical efficiency above 10% and energy close to the one of the amplifier in free lasing mode.