Knowledge Bank

A fast axial flow CO laser has been constructed to lase on the $P8-7(11)$ fundamental vibrational-rotational line and produces 8 watts cw. A flowing mixture of NO/Argon in a specially constructed optical cell is then pumped by the focused laser beam. The NO subsequently vibration-vibration pumps to quite high levels, $\nu ⩾15$. Steady state vibrational populations are then inferred from the NO first overtone emission. Energy transfer into the low-lying A and B NO electronic states is also seen. Time resolved vibrational-vibrational rate measurements will also be reported.