The gain of CO2-N2-He lasers on individual rotation-vibration transitions at 10.6 microns

Experiments have been performed to measure the gain of CO2-N2-He gas lasers on individual rotation-vibration transistions in the P and R branches of CO2around 10.6 µm. Small signal gain was measured on P-2 to P-44 inclusively and on R-0 to R-44 inclusively. The distribution of small signal gain from line to line in the band is used to determine the rotational temperatures describing the rotational level populations in the 00° 1 and 10° 0 vibrational states. Experiments were also performed to measure the power level at which each rotation-vibration transition begins to saturate in a one meter tube. This information may be used to infer information concerning pumping and relaxation processes in such laser systems.