Two-dimensional computational model of discharge uniformity in radiofrequency-excited CO/sub 2/ slab lasers with high aspect ratio electrodes

A finite difference scheme for the numerical solution of Maxwellʹs equations in the time domain is utilized for the optimization of discharge uniformity in radio frequency (RF)excited CO/sub 2/ slab lasers with high aspect ratio electrodes. The field solver can be coupled to standard RF discharge models. The model may be regarded as a natural generalization of the successful transmission line method to two dimensions.