cw CO-CS2, CO-C2H2, and CO-N2O energy-transfer lasers

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.