We have designed a CO
2waveguide laser that can produce pulses with durations of about 15 μs, and pulse energies up to 0.7 mJ, with a maximum laser efficiency of about 1.5 percent, and capable of working at pressures up to about

atm. The laser head and the discharge system that excites the laser gas are described. Some physical limitations of the efficiency and the laser energy are also described.