Feasibility of developing a mercury hydride molecular laser

The formation and deexcitation of the A ²Π_1/2 and X ²Σ_1/2 states of the HgH molecule in a dense Hg–H₂–He (N₂, CO) rf discharge plasma was studied for the first time. The luminescence of the HgH molecule was studied as a function of the plasma density and composition, the absorption of radiation from the highest-intensity HgH bands and quenching of the first electronically excited A ²Π_1/2 (ν = 0,1) and A ²Π_3/2 (ν = 0) states were measured, and strong HgH luminescence was achieved in the discharge. An analysis of the results showed that chemical reactions involving the formation of HgH* (A) take place in a dense plasma at a fast rate without the involvement of HgH (X) and deexcitation of this state by CO molecules. It is concluded that this kinetic model of an HgH laser is valid.