SELF-MAINTAINED SPACE DISCHARGE SHAPING DEVICE

quantum electronics; pumping systems for pulsed and pulse-periodic electric- discharge lasers for engineering, medicine, and environment control purposes. SUBSTANCE: device has sectionalized pumping source, sections-operation synchronizing system, discharge chamber accommodating at least two parallel electrodes that form spark gap, stabilizing members, and additional stabilizing members. Each electrode is built up of separate parallel plates. Plates of other electrodes are placed in planes of those of first electrode or in planes parallel to them. Electrode plates are assembled in one or more groups incorporating at least two plates electrically connected in series through additional stabilizing members. Stabilizing members are connected on one end to pumping source leads and on other end, to first plates of first-electrode groups and to last plates of second-electrode groups according to their polarity. Each section of pumping source is provided with second part of section inserted in the latter. Both section parts have unlike-polarity leads. Section parts being inserted are furnished with stabilizing members and connected to last plates of first-electrode groups as well as to first plates of second-electrode groups. EFFECT: improved performance characteristics: specific power output, efficiency, total energy of laser; reduced convergence of laser beams. 2 cl, 3 dwg