Infrared lasers pumped by electronic-vibrational (E-V) energy transfer are reported. Gas mixtures containing electronically excited Br atoms (2P1/2) are prepared by flash photolyzing Br2 in the presence of a polyatomic molecule. The ensuing E-V process is selective and pumps the polyatomic molecule into specific energy states. In addition to obtaining gain and/or stimulated emission at CO2 and N2O laser frequencies, we have obtained stimulated emission from HCN at 3.85, 7.25, and 8.48 μm, and from C2H2 in the region 7–8 μm. Extension of the principles involved to other polyatomic molecules is straightforward, and a number of applications are suggested by our results to date.

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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.

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