Efficient lasing of a TEA CO2 laser with ultraviolet preionization and utilizing unconventional transitions

The results are given of an investigation of the conditions for efficient lasing, utilizing unconventional transitions in TEA CO₂ lasers. The following bands were considered: 00⁰2–[10⁰1, 02⁰1]_I,II (λ = 9.2–10.8 μ); [10⁰1, 02⁰1]_I,II–[10⁰0, 02⁰0]_I,II (λ = 4.3 μ); 01¹1–[11¹0, 03¹0]_I (λ = 10.8–11.4 μ). In the case of the 01¹1–[11¹0, 03¹0]_I and 00⁰2–[10⁰1, 02⁰0]_I,II transitions, a lasing efficiency of 35–52% of that for the regular band was obtained experimentally. The results are given of investigations of lasing in the wavelength range 11.45–11.85 μ (01¹1–[11¹0, 03¹0]_I band) using the isotopically substituted molecules ¹³CO₂.