Excited states in the active media of oxygen — iodine lasers

A review of investigations of kinetic processes in active media oxygen — iodine lasers (OILs) performed in the last decade is presented. The mechanisms of pumping and quenching of electronically and vibrationally excited O₂ and I₂ molecules are considered, and dissociation mechanisms of I₂ in the active medium of the OIL are analysed. The values of kinetic constants of processes proceeding in the active media of OILs are recommended.