An all gas-phase iodine laser based on NCl3 reaction system

Theoretical and experimental studies of the amine-based all gas-phase iodine laser (AGIL) are conducted. The numerical simulation code is a detailed one-dimensional, multiple-leaky-stream-tubes kinetics code combined with all the known rate equations to date. Using this code, we find that the key reactions to achieve positive gain are the deactivation reaction of excited iodine atoms by chlorine atoms and the self annihilation reactions of NCl(1Δ). The order of the injection nozzles is crucial to suppress these reactions. Following the calculations, we fabricate a flow reactor apparatus and demonstrate laser action for the 2P1/2-2P3/2 transition of iodine atom pumped by energy transfer from NCl(1Δ) produced by a set of amine-based, all gas-phase chemical reactions. Continuous-wave laser output of 50 mW with 40% duty factor is obtained from a stable optical resonator consisting of two 99.99% reflective mirrors. The observed laser characteristics are reasonably explained by numerical calculations. To our knowledge, this is the first achievement of amine-based AGIL oscillation.