Optically pumped pulsed IF(B→X) laser utilizing a CF3I–NF2–He mixture

Abstract

Stimulated emission has been obtained and studied for an IF(B→X) laser utilizing optical excitation of IF molecules formed as a result of photolysis of a CF3I–NF2–He mixture containing all the main components of the proposed IF chemical laser, apart from H2 molecules. At helium pressures above 300 Torr, lasing occurred from the ν' = 0 level filled by VT relaxation. The stimulated emission spectrum of the IF laser was tunable between the ν' = 0→ν'' = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 discrete electronic–vibrational bands in the λ = 585–675 nm wavelength range.