Spatial, temporal, and power characteristics of a streamer CdS semiconductor laser

An experimental investigation was made of spatial, temporal, and power characteristics of a streamer cadmium sulfide semiconductor laser. The shape and amplitude of the exciting pulses had a considerable influence on the formation of a streamer and on the velocity of its head. When the pulse amplitude was increased from 4 to 90 kV, the velocity of the streamer head increased from 2 x 10/sup 7/ to 3 x 10/sup 9/ cm/sec. The output power of the laser increased on increase in this velocity in accordance with a near-parabolic law. A study was also made of the influence of the voltage drop in the streamer channel on the spatial and temporal characteristics of the laser.