The C + N2O → CN(A,X) + NO Reaction: a Possible Candidate for a Near Infrared Electronic Transition Chemical Laser?

Preliminary experiments with a fast-flow low-pressure apparatus had shown that a total population inversion existed between the CN(A,v′=0) and (X,v″=1) levels. However, the CN density was too low for lasing. In order to increase the atomic carbon production, a hollow cathode was realized, to form carbon atoms by electrical dissociation of CO highly diluted in He. In fact, a 20 times increase in the CN density was observed, corresponding to a 3% dissociation degree. But the total population inversion previously observed didn’t exist anymore. This was ascribed to secondary reactions which modify the vibrational distribution, and also to the influence of high-lying electronic states of atomic carbon.