Possible high energy laser at 1.27 microm

Preliminary theoretical and experimental evidence is presented that suggests the potential of lasing from the strongly forbidden O(2)((1)Delta(g)) ? C(2)((3)Sigma (-)(g)) transition of molecular oxygen. A rate equation model is developed which predicts pulse energies up to several hundred joules/liter atmosphere for typical mixtures of 10(3):2N(2) activated by uv photolysis in less than 10 microsec. Preliminary results from a flash photolysis laser apparatus demonstrating 1.27-microm lasing are presented. Results from a computer analysis assessing the possibility of using this system as a multipass amplifier are also given.