An efficient, small scale chemical oxygen-iodine laser

More than 40% extractable power efficiency has been achieved in a transverse flow, small scale, chemically pumped iodine-atom laser. 5 W of cw laser emission at 1315 nm has been obtained via energy transfer from chemically generated O2(1Δ) to I atoms in a 10×1 cm2 rectangular flow duct. Simple construction materials, safely handled chemicals, and a medium size vacuum pump were used for fabricating and operating the laser. The importance of minimizing quenching of excited species by collision with water molecules or with the wall is demonstrated.