CO2laser pumping via transfer from N2species produced from the reaction of NO with discharged nitrogen

The reaction of NO with active nitrogen produces, either directly or indirectly, vibrationally excited N2, which species can transfer energy to CO2yielding laser lines at 10.6 μ. Further, that the reaction of N atoms with NO yields N2in a vibrationally excited state has been verified. In this class of transfer laser, the discharge parameters are critical; different discharges produce species which can energize the transfer laser via different pumping mechanisms.