I can't resist posting something for this question. I followed the development of nitrogen lasers from their beginning. You will find most of the articles in Journal of Physics E Scientific Instruments in about 1968 to 1975 but that was a long time ago. The dates are ballpark. Nitrogen lasers can be used at atmospheric pressure wih a helium nitrogen mix.
Sulfur hexafloride changes the near ultraviolet lifetime.
The length is limited to about three feet in some designs with power output in the megawatts. They can be more than a glorified flashtube. The voltages, rf, flash, in short nearly everything about some of the designs can be deadly or permanently maim you. The cavity and capacitor are simple but must be used with the utmost caution.