Continuous-wave operation of a photodissociation iodine laser

Prolonged lasing (83 sec) was obtained at 1315 nm wave on illuminating gaseous trifluoromethyl iodide, flowing along a laser tube, with radiation from two low-pressure mercury lamps. For this purpose 6.5 liters of CF₃I were required at a pressure of 0.82 atm. It is shown that the results of the experiment are in good agreement with numerical calculations. The possibility is discussed of obtaining cw lasing of longer duration from a photodissociation laser.