Energy characteristics of a 16 μ CO2 laser pumped optically in the 4.3 and 9.6 μ bands

Results are presented of a theoretical investigation of the energy characteristics of a CO₂ molecular laser emitting in the 02⁰0–01¹0 channel (16 μ). It is postulated that the system is pumped by radiation from pulsed HBr and CO₂ lasers in the 4.3 and 9.6 μ bands, respectively. The optimal parameters of the laser are determined. It is shown that at pump energies of ~0.02 J/cm², resonator lengths of ~100 cm, loss coefficients of ~0.01 cm^–1, and optimal values of the pump pulse duration, pressure, and CO₂–He mixture composition, the efficiency of conversion of the 4.3 μ pump radiation energy into 16 μ stimulated emission energy attains ~4.5%.