TA1 - A CW-CO chemical laser from the reaction of active nitrogen with O2+ CS2

A CW-CO chemical laser has been produced in a fast-flow system by mixing N, O
2
, and CS
2
. The power output and spectral characteristics are similar to the O plus CS
2
system indicating that the final reaction steps are the same. Experimental and analytical evidence are presented to support the initiating step N + CS
2
→ CS + NS followed by NS + N → N
2
+ S and the importance of the reaction S + O
2
→ SO + O in supplying atomic oxygen. The conclusions of this work are that these atomic nitrogen reactions appear to be very fast and hence do not appreciably limit laser power, and that active nitrogen can be used to produce other atomic species in sizeable concentrations.