Abstract: The specification describes an improvement in transversely excited lasers having a laser discharge channel in which a pair of opposed, elongated main discharge electrodes are longitudinally disposed in transversely spaced relation, the improvement comprising the provision of means associated with the electrodes defining a first electrical current flow path between the electrodes, providing at least one longitudinally extending discharge gap in the channel and having an electrical impedance which is less than the electrical impedance of lasing material in the chamber prior to excitation thereof whereby upon application of a high energy, high voltage pulse to one of the electrodes, electrical current flows initially through the associated means and produces a longitudinal, substantially uninterrupted, uniform glow discharge along the gap, the discharge reducing the electrical impedance of the lasing material to a value below that of the associated means whereupon the main glow discharge is effected.

Abstract: A system for ensuring that the transmitted pulse of a coherent ladar is at the correct frequency for coherent detection of received echoes. A hybrid laser transmitter has its continuous mode signal frequency swept through the stabilized frequency of a local oscillator laser. At the instant when the frequency of the transmitter is at a predetermined difference from the frequency of the local oscillator, a high powered output signal is pulsed in the hybrid laser. The resulting reflected, received signals can be mixed with the continuous local oscillator signal in a crystal mixer to produce pulses at the intermediate frequency for amplification and detection. The effect of random variation in frequency of both the local oscillator and hybrid laser is thus avoided.