Enhancement of the efficiency and specific output energy of an electric-discharge CO laser by intensification of heat exchange with the walls

An experimental investigation was made of the output power and efficiency of a continuous-flow CO laser with a longitudinal discharge and cryogenic cooling. It was found that an electrooptic efficiency higher than 40% could be achieved with a specific input power of 2.4–4.2 W/cm3 by using a discharge tube with inner ribs.