Near 16 micron CO.sub.2 laser system

摘要

Method and apparatus for inducing laser action in CO.sub.2 at a wavelength of 16 microns involving the transition between the 02.sup.0 0 and 01.sup.1 0 states. The population inversion between these two states is achieved by pumping to the 00.sup.0 1 level, suppressing the usual 10. 6 micron transition to the 10.sup.0 0 level and encouraging the 9.6 micron transition, thereby populating the 02.sup.0 0 level, as the principal prerequisite for 16 micron laser action between the 02.sup.0 0 and 01.sup.1 0 levels.