Abstract

A search for chemically pumped uv laser action in H₂CO due to the thermal decomposition of CH₃OOCH₃ is reported. Electrode ac discharge, and rf electrodeless discharge spectra of H₂CO and CO augmented by chemical excitation via the reaction CH₃OOCH₃ → 2CH₃O → CH₃OH + H₂CO* are presented. The rate of production of excited state H₂CO through thermal decomposition of CH₃OOCH₃ is estimated by analysis of the kinetics of the reaction to be 2.3 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³ sec⁻¹. The population inversion ΔF of H₂CO required to produce stimulated emission in the 4231-Å vibronic line is calculated to be 3 × 10¹⁴ cm⁻³ as compared to an available ΔF of 1.4 × 10¹⁴ cm⁻³. The possibility of using this thermal decomposition to produce excited collision partners for inducing laser action in other molecular or atomic species is discussed.

© 1966 Optical Society of America

Nonequilibrium Chemical Excitation and Chemical Pumping of Lasers

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Appl. Opt. 4(S1) 81-104 (1965)

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Gas Lasers

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