Broad-band gain in optically pumped S2

The system of S2has many of the characteristics required of a tunable laser: a broad fluorescence spectrum and a Franck-Condon shift between the and states. In this paper, the level of the system of S2is pumped by the absorption of the 308 nm XeCl excimer radiation. Rare gas-S2collisions redistribute the population among the levels, and the subsequent emission contains intense bands throughout much of the neat UV and visible region of the spectrum. Broad-band gain is reported on two blue-green bands (2,17) and (3,18) populated by rare gas relaxation. Absorption is reported on the near UV bands where the lower levels are filled by the transient population cascading down the state manifold. A fluorescence study is presented which examines the potential advantages and limitations of this system.