Survey of the NF(b→X) visible laser candidate

Three chemical systems have been proposed for generating a visible electronic transition laser on NF(b - X) at lambda = 529 nm. Each concept involves generating NF(a 1 Delta) and upconverting it to NF(b 1 Sigma). The stimulated emission cross section for NF(b - X) is small due to a small Einstein coefficient and rovibronic dilution of the oscillator strength. Large inversion densities are mandated which raise problems with gas phase side reactions involving the collision of two excited state species. In addition, the combination of low gain and high energy storage density results in large intracavity fluxes for a real laser device.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.