Chemical Laser Action in Low Pressure Metal Vapor Flames

Abstract

Chemiluminescence in the visible has indicated the production of electronically excited products in the low pressure reactions of alkaline earth metals with o'ygen, halogens, halogen compounds and other oxidants. Thermochemical calculations on many such systems have indicated energy release more than adequate for electronic excitation of the product molecules. Comparisons of radiative lifetimes, rates of chemical reaction and col. Iisional de-excitation indicate the possibility of population inversion and chemical laser action based on such electronically excited product molecules.The literature is reviewed to analyze the theoretical possibility of lasing action using alkaline earth systems. Although spin-conservation laws limit the rates of certain reactions, there appears to be sufficient promise to this approach.