Changeover in the molecular and atomic fluorine laser transitions.

ABSTRACT

Measurements of molecular and atomic fluorine laser emissions were done from 2?psi (absolute) to 5?atm to determine pressure-dependent spectral lines. While at low pressures, the atomic transitions are dominant; however, both atomic and molecular transitions are detected simultaneously at atmospheric pressures above approximately 2?atm, where a changeover occurs. The excitation mechanisms are strongly dependent on the excited and ionized He species within the gain medium. Initially it affects the atomic transitions of the submanifolds and the corresponding molecular transition takes place via collisional events. The gain competitions among the doublet and quartet atomic transitions have also been investigated.