Knowledge Bank

High power irradiation of $SF6$ by a $CO2$ laser provides enough ground state depletion to be monitored by a conventional infrared absorption spectrometer. The $\nu 3$ band $(965cm-1)$ was irradiated; the $\nu 4(617cm-1$ and $\nu 3$ bands were monitored. Integrated absorption intensities provide information on ground state populations, which were determined as a function of laser power. The level population information coupled with contour analysis of the monitored bands is interpreted in terms of the vibrational and rotational equilibration processes in $SF6$.