Continuous‐Wave Chemical Laser Requires No External Energy Source

DEC 01, 1969

Physics Today

Terrill A. Cool and Ronald R. Stephens of Cornell University believe they have produced the first continuous wave all‐chemical laser. In a paper he delivered 26 Nov. at the American Physical Society fluid dynamics division meeting in Norman, Oklahoma, Cool told how they mixed commercially available bottled gases to get ${1.06×10}^{4}$ nanometer emission from carbon dioxide without any external energy source to initiate or sustain lasing action. Maximal power output was 8 watts; lasing continues until the reactants are depleted (up to several hours). The laser operates at about 4% efficiency; Cool predicts 15% efficiency with proper design modifications. A typical electrically excited ${CO}_{2}$ laser has an overall efficiency of about 8%.

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