Laser action at 16 μ has been obtained between the (02°0) and (0110) levels as well as between the (10°0) and (0110) levels at 14 μ. A 9- or 10-μ saturating pulse equilibrates the (001) level with either the (02°0) or (10°0) level and creates the transient 14- or 16-μ inversion. Extraction efficiencies of 20% have been achieved on a single pulse. Repetition frequencies of 200 Hz have been achieved using a single Q-switched cavity.

cw laser emission has been observed from CS2 (11.5 μ), C2H2 (8 μ), and N2O (10.6 μ) transitions pumped by energy transfer from vibrationally excited CO in an electric discharge gas-dynamic laser device. Proposed energy-transfer pathways for these three lasers are described. Supersonic expansion cooling plays a critical role in depopulating the lower laser levels in the CO-CS2 and CO-C2H2 systems. Maximum output powers measured for each of these systems are presented. The dependence of output power on the flow rate of the injected laser species is discussed.

cw CO2 and N2O lasing has been obtained in a new electric discharge gas-dynamic laser device. The device consists of a subsonic plenum discharge region where vibrational excitation occurs, a supersonic nozzle array where the laser species is injected, and a supersonic cavity where mixing, energy transfer, and lasing occur. In the present experiments both CO2 and N2O are pumped by energy transfer from D2 excited in the discharge. Comparisons are made for CO2 pumped by both N2 and D2, and N2O and CO2 pumped by D2.

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