PassiveQ‐switching of a CO2&sngbnd;N2&sngbnd;He laser has been obtained, using SF6gas as the saturable absorber. Peak power is 1 kW, in what appears to be a single transverse mode. This is 200 times the CW level for the same configuration and one‐fifth that obtained with a mechanicalQswitch. Pulse rates are in the range 103to 104pulses per sec. Operation is on a single vibrational‐rotational line, unlike the case of CW operation.