Multifrequency laser utilizing vibrational-rotational transitions in CO and CO2 molecules excited by a non-self-sustained discharge

Experimental and theoretical investigations were made of the characteristics of an uncooled electron-beam-controlled atmospheric-pressure laser utilizing simultaneously vibrational–rotational transitions in the CO and CO₂ molecules. A theoretical model was developed on the basis of a self-consistent solution of the equations of vibrational kinetics and the Boltzmann equation for the electron energy distribution function. A good agreement between the experimental and calculated results was obtained. An investigation was made of the problem of control of the emission spectrum. It was found theoretically that the overall efficiency could reach ~20% (in the case of approximately the same efficiencies in the spectral ranges 5.5 and 10.6 µ) if a laser of this type were cooled to 200 K.