A design is reported for a compact and simply constructed CO2TEA laser giving pulses of up to 50 J with 0.1‐&mgr;s duration from a discharge of dimensions 45×6×6 cm3. The gas is preionized by VUV irradiation from two lines of 34 series arcs to either side of the uniform field electrodes to which potentials of +50 kV and −50 kV are applied. The mechanism of preionization and the conditions for a uniform discharge are considered.