Repetitive operation of switchless transverse flow transversely excited atmosphere CO2 lasers.

The enhanced preionisation efficiency of a mutually coupled parallel spark preioniser has been exploited to achieve switchless operation of a transversely excited atmosphere (TEA) CO(2) laser in the conventional transverse gas flow configuration. This made the laser more compatible to repetitive operation and the satisfactory performance of a switchless TEA CO(2) laser of ~8 cc active volume is reported here up to a maximum repetition rate of 100 Hz at a gas replenishment factor of ~2.