Electronic-to-vibrational pumped CO2 laser operating at 4.3, 10.6, and 14.1 μm

Abstract

A pulsed CO2 laser is described in which the pumping mechanism is electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer from bromine atoms in the 42P1/2 state. Observation of stimulated emission in CO2 gives detailed information on the specificity of the E-V process. The laser operates on the usual 10-μm transitions, as well as two new wavelengths regions near 4.3 and 14.1 μm. Pulse energies 112 mJ at 10.6 μm have been obtained by flash photolyzing 80 Torr of a 1 : 1 mixture of Br2 and CO2. Extension of this laser system to high-pressure sealed-off operation is discussed.