Abstract: An inductor with high inductance to resistance ratio capable of handling megamp currents. Sixteen coil assemblies are radially arranged into four quadrants of four coil assemblies each and jumpers are utilized to connect the quadrants in different configurations for different inductance values. Each coil assembly is made up of a plurality of nested essentially D-shaped copper conductors collectively nested within an aluminum structural support plate in which eddy currents are minimized by a interruption in the plate. The individual conductors of each coil assembly are transposed throughout a quadrant for balanced current flow. Coil bus bars as well as an input and output bus bar are connected to predetermined ones of the coil assemblies with the input and output bus bars being connected to system input and output leads. The unit is operated at cryogenic temperatures by immersion in a liquid nitrogen filled cryostat.

Abstract: A molecular gas laser capable of operating at or near atmospheric pressure in which electrical energy is coupled into an active molecular gas medium comprising molecules having vibrational rotational energy levels by means of an electric field transverse to the lasing axis. By applying an impulse voltage to the electrode configuration, high current glow discharges can be created. The pulse discharge takes place between electrodes having parallel planar surfaces facing each other. The lateral edges of these faces are suitably profiled to avoid field concentrations and thus provide a diffused glow discharge in a uniform electric field transverse to the lasing axis. Initiatory electrons required to produce the high current diffused glow are provided by generating an intense burst of corona in the gap between spacer members having very high dielectric constants which are interposed between the electrodes.