The present invention is directed to a gas laser of the type having a vacuum-tight sealed housing which has a capillary extending at least partially in the housing and containing a discharge channel. Magnets are located in the proximity of the capillary, the magnetic field of the magnets penetrating the discharge channel in the capillary at least over a portion of its length. Such a prior art gas laser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,741. In the prior art gas laser, magnets are located outside a housing which is sealed so that the housing is vacuum-tight and are located in the proximity of a capillary that projects over the housing. A relatively complex adjustment mechanism is required in order to adjust the magnets relative to the capillary. The arrangement disclosed basically covers only one part of the capillary.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 22, No. 8A, January, 1980 discloses a similar arrangement in which a row of magnets is located in proximity to the discharge tube.