New HF laser pumped molecular lasers in the middle infrared

Stimulated emission has been observed in five molecules optically pumped by a pulsed HF laser. Emission was observed in
¹⁵
N
2
O,
¹⁴
N
¹⁵
NO, and
¹⁵
N
¹⁴
NO at 4.6 μm, HCOOH at 5.7 μm, and in
¹³
CS
2
at 6.9 μm. Lasing pulse shapes and delays after the pump pulse were measured. Lasing due to rotational relaxation induced by collisions with He was observed in
¹⁵
N
¹⁴
NO.