A direct nuclear-pumped 3He-CO laser

Abstract
Direct nuclear pumping of a low‐temperature (≊150 K) 3He‐CO laser has been achieved using the volumetric 3He(n,p) 3H nuclear reaction. Lasing occurred on the vibrational bands of CO at ≊5 μ. Effects of N2 on the system were investigated, as well as scaling of laser output with CO concentration, thermal neutron flux, and total pressure. This is the first volume‐pumped, nuclear powered CO laser.