Chemically pumped oxygen–iodine laser

A review is given of the principles of operation of the oxygen–iodine laser. Various types of chemical generators of singlet oxygen, which are key components in oxygen–iodine lasers, are considered. Experimental investigations of cw and pulsed oxygen–iodine lasers are described. The state-of-the-art theoretical investigations and potential applications of oxygen–iodine lasers are discussed.