Transverse-Discharge Hydrogen Halide Lasers

Abstract

Laser action has been achieved in six hydrogen and deuterium halides formed in chemical reactions initiated by a pulsed transverse discharge. A total of 246 wavelengths from 2.6 to 19.7 μm was observed. Nearly 30% of these transitions have not been previously observed in laser action. All of the lasers operate at relatively high pressure and promise to give very‐high‐power outputs.