CdI and CdBr photodissociation lasers at 655 and 811 nm: CdI spectrum identification and enhanced laser output with ¹¹⁴CdI₂

Lasing on the B→X bands of CdI at 655 nm and CdBr at 811 nm has been obtained by photodissociating CdI₂ and CdBr₂ with an ArF laser. Also, the CdX (X = I, Br) B-state radiative lifetimes and CdX₂ quenching rate constants were found to be 32±3 ns, (9.2±1.1) ×10^-10 cm³ s^-1, 25±4 ns and (7.9±3.3)×10^-10 cm³ s^-1, respectively. After synthesizing and photodissociating ¹¹⁴CdI ₂, the ¹¹⁴CdI laser spectrum was identified as arising from v′ = 0-2→v\ = 61, 62 transitions of the B→X band. The use of a single isotope of Cd (i.e., ¹¹⁴Cd) was also found to quadruple the energy output of the CdI laser and to make possible a dual-wavelength metal-halide laser, one operating simultaneously in the red (CdI) and near-infrared (CdBr).