Systems and methods for lasing from a molecular gas

摘要

Systems and methods for lasing molecular gases, and systems and methods of detecting molecular species are provided. The systems and methods can include the use of an excitation laser tuned to a wavelength associated with oxygen or nitrogen. The lasing can occur in both the forward and reverse directions relative to the excitation laser beam. Reverse lasing can provide a laser beam that propagates back toward the excitation laser source, and can provide a method for remote sampling of molecular species contained in the air. For example, systems and methods of detecting a molecular species of interest can be achieved by using the properties of the backward or forward propagating air laser to indicate a change in a pulse from the source of laser pulses caused by a modulation laser tuned to interact with the molecular species of interest.

主权项

1. A method for lasing in air without a resonating cavity, the method comprising:
using a source of laser pulses to dissociate at least one molecular species comprising atomic constituents into the atomic constituents; and using the source of laser pulses to excite at least one of the dissociated atomic constituents by at least two-photon absorption to an energy level that forms a population inversion along an excitation path of an upper lasing level to produce a gain path for amplified stimulated emission of radiation.