A proposed chemically pumped laser based on the b to X transition in O/sub 2/

Simple kinetics calculations demonstrate that the well-known electronic energy pooling reaction involving O/sub 2/(a/sup 1/ Delta ) is capable of producing an effective population inversion in O/sub 2/(b/sup 1/ Sigma ). The densities of O/sub 2/(a/sup 1/ Delta ) which are potentially achievable suggest that the extractable energy storage density of an O/sub 2/(b to X) chemical laser might exceed 0.5 MJ/m/sup 3/. The b to X emission lifetime measurements conducted under conditions of high relative O/sub 2/(b/sup 1/ Sigma ) density reveal no evidence of rapid self-quenching effects which would be potentially detrimental to laser performance. The relatively long energy storage times predicted, together with freedom from reagent mixing requirements, make such a laser an attractive alternative to other existing and proposed short wavelength chemical lasers.<
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