Gas lasers with /spl gamma/-radiation pumping as the source of laser energy for research of plasma physics and inertial thermonuclear fusion (ITF)

Summary form only given, as follows. To study plasma physics and ITF powerful gas lasers could be used with /spl gamma/-radiation pumping from an underground nuclear explosion. It is shown that the nuclear explosion as a source of pulsed /spl gamma/-radiation is characterized by unique features, i.e. high specific pumping power, short pulse duration, high spatial and temporal pumping symmetry, possibility of laser pulse profiling in time. The experiments carried out in VNIIEF confirm the laser characteristics expected and show the possibility of one-channel laser systems creation with energy of up to 10/sup 5/ J and multi-channel-with energy of up to 10/sup 6/ J, specific focused power is as high as 10/sup 16/ W/cm/sup 2/ and higher. The investigations were carried out with the lasers on IR- and UV-ranges.