Influence of buffer gases on lasing of POPOP vapor

An analysis is made of a theoretical model of a laser utilizing POPOP vapor with added pentane. The model presupposes instantaneous redistribution (thermalization) of the optically generated excess vibrational energy of the active molecules between all the molecules of the active volume. Calculations are made of the time dependences of the lasing power and of the temperature of the active medium for different pentane pressures. The feasibility of pyrolysis of the active molecules as a result of overheating is discussed by comparing the calculated temperatures of the active medium and the experimentally determined rate constant for thermal dissociation of pure vapor.