A proposed chemically pumped laser based on the b→X transition in O2

Simple kinetics calculations demonstrate that the well-known electronic energy pooling reaction involving O₂(a ¹Δ) is capable of producing an effective population inversion in O₂(b¹Σ). The densities of O₂(a¹Δ) which are potentially achievable suggest that the extractable energy storage density of an O ₂(b→X) chemical laser might exceed 0.5 MJ/m³. The b→X emission lifetime measurements conducted under conditions of high relative O₂( b¹Σ) density reveal no evidence of rapid self-quenching effects which would be potentially detrimental to laser performance. The relatively long energy storage times predicted, together with freedom from reagent mixing requirements, make such a laser an attractive alternative to other existing and proposed short wavelength chemical lasers