a high - frequency - discharge excited gas laser is provided , which is adapted to excite a laser gas by applying of a high frequency voltage to electrodes . in order to increase the output capacity of the high - frequency - discharge excited gas laser without sacrificing its virtues of small size , high efficiency and good beam mode , the laser , in its one aspect , has its metallic electrode covered with a dielectric layer , with the dielectric layer being detached from the electrode . in another aspect , a pair of metallic films are laid positions diametrically opposite to each other on the outer surface of a laser tube formed of a dielectric pipe .