Vibrational Population Inversions Within Normal Shock Waves in CO2-N2-He Mixtures

Numerical solutions are given for vibrational population inversions created in CO2-N2-He mixtures due to shock wave heating of a cold gas. The results indicate that population inversions between the (040) and (001) energy levels of CO2 and, to a lesser degree, between the (200) and (001) levels, can be created in the vibrational nonequilibrium flow behind a normal shock front. The properties of these inversions as a possible laser medium are assessed; the results indicate that the laser properties of this shock-induced nonequilibrium flow are not as promising as those of lasers operating on the principle of rapid expansions. (Author).