Generation of 14. mu. M and 16. mu. M laser radiation from a CO/sub 2/ gas laser
Described is a technique for generating 16 ..mu..m laser radiation from a CO/sub 2/ molecular gas laser system by use of the 02/sup 0/0-01/sup 1/0 vibrational transition of CO/sub 2/. The technique employs a system for pumping the CO/sub 2/ molecules from the ground state to the 00/sup 0/1 vibrational energy level such that a population inversion is created between the 00/sup 0/1 and 02/sup 0/0 energy levels, and transferring the population of CO/sub 2/ molecules from the 00/sup 0/1 level to the 02/sup 0/0 vibrational energy levels by stimulated emission in a time less than the collisional deactivation time of the CO/sub 2/ molecule in the 02/sup 0/0 level. This transfer creates a population inversion between the 02/sup 0/0 and the 01/sup 1/0 vibrational energy levels of the CO/sub 2/ molecule which results in 16 ..mu..m laser radiation. A similar technique for generating 14 ..mu..m laser radiation from a CO/sub 2/ molecular gas system is achieved by use of the 10/sup 0/0-01/sup 1/0 vibrational transition. 13 claims.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4168474
- OSTI ID:
- 5618650
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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