Very strong laser emission at 5 pm was detected when SO2 and CHBr3 were flash photolyzed in the vacuum ultraviolet ( A 2 165 nm) in the presence of a large amount of diluent (SFe, He, or Ar). About 110 vibration-rotation transitions ranging from Au = 18 + 17 to 3 + 2, except 16 + 15, were identified. The primary reactions leading to the C O stimulated emission are as follows:
The product analysis results and the variation of laser intensity with flash energy and SO concentration indicate that the following side reactions CH + CH A C2H2 CH + SO 2 products CH + SO2& HCS02, CHO + SO are also occurring. Addition of a small amount of 0 2 enhances the laser output by both eliminating these side reactions and simultaneously producing vibrationally excited CO via rraction (8), CH + 02A COt + OH which has been previously shown to generate CO stimulated emission. The effects of various reactive (NO and H2) and inert (He, Ar, SFs, CO, N2, N20, and CO2) gases have been examined. All additives (P 5 20 torr), except NO and H2, increase the total laser output. N 2 0 enhances the power most efficiently, whereas CO, N2, and CO2 are less effective and have similar efficiencies. The enhancement of the laser intensity by these near-resonant gases is ascribed to the depletion of CO population at lower levels which thus increases the rates cascading from higher levels. NO and H2 quench the laser output by chemically reducing the concentration of the CH radical.
* The preliminary results of this work were first