Eletskii, A. V., Smirnov, B. M. Gas Lasers (Gazovye lazery), 1971. In Russian

Елецкий А. В., Смирнов Б. М.
Газовые лазеры.
Москва : Атомиздат, 1971.
151 с. : черт. Мягкая издательская обложка, обычный формат. Тираж 6010 экз.
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Eletskii, A. V., Smirnov, B. M.
Gas Lasers (Gazovye lazery).
Moscow: Atomizdat, 1971.
151 pp.: diagrs. Softcover, standard format. Print run: 6,010 copies.

This 1971 monograph is a focused and rigorous introduction to the physics of gas lasers, published by Atomizdat during the decade when laser technology transitioned from experimental curiosity to a transformative industrial and scientific tool. The authors, Alexander Eletsky and Boris Smirnov, are distinguished figures in the Soviet school of plasma and atomic physics, bringing a deep theoretical background to the practical challenges of laser construction.
The book systematically explores the fundamental processes occurring within a gaseous active medium. It details the mechanisms of population inversion—the prerequisite for laser action—specifically focusing on electron impact excitation and resonant energy transfer in gas discharges. The authors examine the most significant types of gas lasers of the era, including the ubiquitous Helium-Neon (He-Ne) laser, the high-power Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$) laser, and ion lasers, providing clear explanations of their energy level diagrams and transition probabilities.
Beyond simple theory, the volume serves as an engineering guide, discussing resonator configurations, the impact of gas pressure and composition on gain, and the stability of the gas discharge. The text is supported by numerous technical diagrams and charts that illustrate the physical dependencies of laser output. For historians of science and engineers, this work captures the foundational knowledge of quantum electronics as it was understood during the early expansion of the Soviet laser program.