A novel TE discharge, 15‐mm aperture, multiatmosphere, CO2laser amplifier is described, with measured electrical characteristics and gain measurements on the 9.294‐&mgr;m, 9R(16) line. The electrical circuit used in this amplifier is a realistic alternative to the Marx bank or conventionalLCinversion circuit and, similarly, it would be useful for excitation of other gas lasers as well. This automatically preionized, double‐sided, fourfoldLCinversion circuit uses only one spark gap, and it is shown to provide small‐signal gains of 5.7% cm−1, at 120 J l−1 atm−1and 10 atm. The generalization to ann–stage device, which would be suitable for higher pressures, and larger apertures, is discussed.