CHEMICAL PUMPING OF THE FAR-INFRARED "HCN" LASER

Abstract

Flash photolysis of mixtures of $H_{2}$ and $(CN)_{2}$, $H_{2}$ and HCN, and just HCN at total pressures of 100 $\mu$ or less produces far-infrared lasing between $20 cm^{-1}$ and $120 cm^{-1}$ The lasing near $80 cm^{-1}$ has been resolved and is identical to Chat which has been reported from the ""HCN"" discharge laser. Chemical pumping mechanisms for the observed lasing will be discussed and compared to those which have been proposed for the ""HCN"" discharge laser.