Slab gas laser with pre-ionizing cell

A slab gas laser comprising:

• a live slab electrode and a ground slab electrode, the live slab electrode and the ground slab electrode defining a primary gas discharge chamber therebetween, the live slab electrode being in electrical communication with a first AC power supply to provide a first excitation signal;
• and
• a pre-ionizing cell comprising a live electrode and a ground electrode defining a pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber therebetween, the live electrode being in electrical communication with a second AC power supply distinct from the first AC power supply to provide a second excitation signal delivering a discharge of electrons from the pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber,
• the pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber being operatively associated with the primary gas discharge chamber to provide electrons with enough energy to provide near instantaneous discharge ignition in the primary gas discharge chamber by the first excitation signal upon actuation of the first AC power supply at a power output capable of sustaining discharge in the primary gas discharge chamber but at a power output otherwise unable to provide near instantaneous discharge ignition in the primary gas discharge chamber, the operative association of the pre-ionizing and primary gas discharge chambers comprising the pre-ionizing cell being oriented with edges of its live and ground electrodes adjacent and substantially parallel to edges of the ground slab and live slab electrodes, respectively, wherein the live electrode and ground slab electrode are on one side of the primary gas discharge chamber and the ground electrode and the live slab electrode are on the other side of the primary gas discharge chamber.