<title>Studies of short-wavelength chemical lasers: enhanced emission of Pb atoms following detonation of lead azide via a supersonic nozzle</title>

Abstract

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that preferential excitation of high lying electronic states of the lead atom is obtained following the detonation of lead azide. However, measurements have shown that the detonation products form an optically opaque medium. In order to overcome this problem, the detonation was conducted via a supersonic nozzle. As a result a transparent medium was formed near the nozzle exit plane. Strong emission from lead atoms was achieved in this medium. Time- and wavelength resolved measurements have shown that the emission intensity of the 3P1° ? 1 D2 transition of the lead atom is significantly enhanced as compared to that from 3P1° to lower lying states. The behavior of the emission is explained in terms of kinetic and spectroscopic (self-trapping) mechanisms. The implication of our results to obtaining laser oscillation following detonation via supersonic nozzles is discussed.