Abstract

Previous studies have shown the N₂O/CO/Mg reaction to be capable of efficiently producing Mg(³P) in large concentrations.^1,2 On the basis of the favorable energy level positions of Sm, we have embarked on a study of the feasibility of a visible chemical laser through transfer of energy from Mg(³P) to Sm. Fluorescence measurements from flowing mixtures of Mg and Sm vapors under both pulsed and cw laser excitations on the Mg(¹S—³P) transition have been made. Intense emissions from a number of Sm transitions in the green region were observed. Preliminary time-resolved fluorescence decay data taken over a range of Sm densities yielded a quenching rate for Mg(³P) approximately ten times the gas kinetic rate. Relative steady-state fluorescence intensity measurements showed that nearly all the collisions result in the excitation of Sm. These findings indicate that an efficient visible chemical laser based on the Mg(³P)/Sm system may be possible if a suitable gas for deactivating the chosen lower laser level can be identified.

© 1986 Optical Society of America