JPS6322636B

High-energy laser of the TE-type with excitation taking place by an arc-free capacitor discharge being as homogeneous as possible, including a housing having walls formed at least partially of high voltage-resistant insulating material defining a laser chamber having a gas space, at least two first and second electrodes being extended in the laser chamber and surrounded by regions of the housing walls, the electrodes being disposed opposite each other, spaced apart and parallel to the optical axis of the laser, the excitation taking place in the gas space between the electrodes, a preionization device disposed in the laser chamber, a current feed connected to the first electrode, a current return being connected to the second electrode and being in the form of metallic wall portions extended from the second electrode along the outside of the housing of the laser chamber at least to the vicinity of the region of the housing wall surrounding the first electrode, the insulating material of the housing in the gas space between the electrodes and the wall portions of the current return having cavities formed therein on two sides of the first electrode parallel to the optical axis, as seen in direction of the optical axis, and shield electrodes being inserted into the cavities and being connected to the potential of the first electrode.