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Stabilization of He/sub 2/(a-3 sigma u(+)) molecules in liquid helium by optical pumping for vacuum uv laser

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7083892
A technique is disclosed for achieving large populations of metastable spin-aligned He/sub 2/ molecules in superfluid helium to obtain lasing in the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength regime around 0.0800 micrometers by electronically exciting liquid (superfluid) helium with a comparatively low-current electron beam and spin aligning the metastable molecules by means of optical pumping with a modestly-powered circularly-polarized CW (confinuous wave) laser. Once a high concentration of spin-aligned He/sub 2/ is achieved with lifetimes of a few milliseconds, a strong microwave signal destroys the spin alignment and induces a quick collisional transition of He/sub 2/ molecules to a lasing transition.
Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Pasadena, Calif. (USA)
OSTI ID:
7083892
Report Number(s):
N-77-24468
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English