Abstract: Infrared laser-induced production of nitrated products is achieved by irradiating compounds selected from propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, and cyclopropane in the gas phase while in a stainless steel cell 5.times.5.times.10 cm equipped with zinc selenide windows to admit the infrared laser radiation in the range of 10.4 or 9.4 micrometers provided by a continuous wave CO.sub.2 laser. KC1 windows on the short path are to monitor infrared spectra of reactants and products. Nitrogen dioxide or nitric acid is present as the second reactant and the nitrating agent. The infrared laser-induced method far exceeds the yield of nitrated products found in the argon-ion laser-induced nitration of isobutane reported in the literature. Applicants' method at least equals the yield from thermally activated systems with a minimum formation of undesirable side products. A representative sample, 220 torr of gaseous butane, and 20 torr NO.sub.2 is irradiated in one experiment for 30 seconds with 75 W/cm.sup.

Abstract: Germanium and doped-germanium polycrystalline films are formed using photolytic CO.sub.2 laser-induced chemical vapor deposition method. Germanium being transparent to IR light makes the production of high purity polycrystalline germanium and doped-germanium films from starting compounds of germane, ethylgermane diethylgermane, and triethylgermane ideally adapted to the laser induced infrared radiation provided by the tunable, continuous-wave CO.sub.2 laser which delivers infrared laser radiation in the range of 10.4 or 9.4 micrometers. Triethylgermane produces germanium in a quantity usable as a dopant. Scanning electron microscopy is used for analysis of the films. The products identified on irradiation of germane are germanium and hydrogen. Conversion rates on the order of 86% are readily obtained. On irradiation of diethylgermane and ethylgermane, ethylene, germane, germanium and hydrogen are produced.

Abstract: A CW tunable laser is employed in a laser photochemical decomposition met to achieve decomposition of a compound of high toxicity to relatively non-toxic decomposition products.Organophosphorus chemical agents containing a characteristic C--O--P group are irradiated with a predetermined power level from about 10 to about 150 W/cm.sup.2 for a predetermined time period to effect cleavage of the C--O bond. The infrared laser excitation level of radiation in the range of 10.4 .mu.m or 9.4 .mu.m is resonant with the absorption band of the C--O--P group contained in the organophosphorus chemical agent. The absorbed radiation effects cleavage of the C--O bond and thereby achieves decomposition of the organophosphorus chemical agent.The disclosed method is highly selective for cleavage of the C--O bond rather then cleavage of the P--O bond, and in the presence of air, the method requires low power levels of the CO.sub.2 laser for rapid and complete dissociation of the organophosphorus chemical agent.

Abstract: Cadmium sulfide is formed successfully from the laser-induced chemical reion between a first reactant of a dialkylcadmium and a second reactant of a dialkylsulfide. Infrared laser radiation in the range of 10.4 or 9.4 micrometers is provided by a continuous-wave CO.sub.2 laser. In single line operation, output powers between 10 and 150 watts/centimeters square (W/cm.sup.2) are obtained by variation of the CO.sub.2 -N.sub.2 -He gas mixture in the laser. The process procedure and sample handling is accomplished using standard vacuum line techniques. The irradiation of dimethylsulfide at R(18) of (00.degree.1-10.degree.0) for 5 seconds at 100 W/cm.sup.2 produced the products methane, ethane, and sulfur. A mixture of a dialkylsulfide (CH.sub.3).sub.2 S, and a dialkylcadmium (CH.sub.3).sub.2 Cd is irradiated at R(18) of (00.degree.1-10.degree.0), 979 cm.sup.-1 for a total of 5 seconds at 100 W/cm.sup.2 to form CdS on the windows of the reaction cell. A higher yield of CdS is obtained when the sensitizer SR.sub.

Abstract: Cadmium sulfide is formed successfully from the reactants hydrogen sulfide md the representative dialkylcadmium, dimethylcadmium, spontaneously when mixed in the gas phase. Reactions are monitored using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which also permits the identification of gaseous products. The gaseous products of this reaction are identified as methane and ethene. The stoichiometry of the cadmium sulfide depends upon the reactant pressure ratios. The process procedure and sample handling is accomplished using standard vacuum line techniques. This particular process is extremely useful, as the stoichiometry of the product cadmium sulfide can be controlled by the purity of the starting materials and the ratios of reactant pressures. Typical reaction mixtures range from about 14 to 32 torr of dimethylcadmium and from about 30 to about 279 torr of hydrogen sulfide. The cadmium sulfide is formed as a reddish orange powder which is used as a precursor for a single crystal production for detector use.