Possible increase of the efficiency of gasdynamic lasers: carbon disulfide laser

A new method is proposed for increasing the efficiency of gasdynamic lasers in which molecules with lower levels than in CO₂ and N₂O are employed. For example, in the case of CS₂, pumped by transfer of the energy from N₂ or CO, and also from O₂ or CO₂, a population inversion is predicted for a number of transitions in the 11.4–117 μ range and the highest efficiency should reach 10%, subject to allowance for relaxation losses. The correctness of these calculations is confirmed by observations of stimulated emission due to the 00⁰1–10⁰0 transition at a wavelength of 11.4 μ.