Investigation of a CO2 pulsed laser emitting at λ=10.6 μ and pumped by λ=9.6 μ CO2–N2–He laser radiation

An experimental and theoretical investigation was made of the amplification and stimulated generation of λ = 10.6 μ radiation (00⁰1–10⁰0 transition) in CO₂ pumped with a pulsed CO₂ laser emitting at λ = 9.6 μ (00⁰0–02⁰0 transition). A study was made of the dependencee of the gain on the pumped energy density for various values of pressure and temperature. The room-temperature gain at pressures up to 1 atm was 4×10^–4 cm^–1. The maximum value of the gain (2×10^–3 cm^–1) corresponded to p =100 mm Hg and T = 400°K. The results obtained were in good agreement with the theory. The emission of 10.6 μ radiation as a result of λ = 9.6 μ optical pumping was achieved and investigated for the first time in a wide range of CO₂ pressures and temperatures of 80–600 mm Hg and 330–400°K.