Abstract: A chemical process yielding laser amplification and oscillation in the visible and ultraviolet spectral ranges comprising the steps of chemically reacting metal polymers with halogen atoms to form a lasing medium comprised of electronically excited metal dimer molecule which produces laser amplification and, by providing a mirror configuration which makes use of the inverted population, through multiple reflection allows for laser oscillation by the repeated passage of light through the inverted gain medium.

Abstract: A process for increasing the efficiency of a chemical process yielding stimulated emission of visible radiation via fast near resonant intermolecular energy transfer comprising the steps of reacting a first metal vapor with a reactant to form a metastable state of a metal oxide or metal halide and transferring the energy from the metastable state to receptor metal atoms by means of near resonant energy transfer to form electronically excited receptor metal atoms in an inverted configuration by using highly volatile precursor compounds to provide the receptor metal atoms, by introducing a quenchant gas during the energy transfer step, or by introducing CO.sub.2 laser photons during the energy transfer step.

Abstract: A laser oscillator at 535 nm produced by a chemical process yielding stimulated emission of visible radiation via fast near resonant intermolecular energy transfer comprising the steps of reacting a reaction with a first metal vapor to form metastable states of metal oxides or metal halides, transferring the energy from the metastable states to receptor metal atoms by means of near resonant energy transfer to form electronically excited receptor metal atoms in an inverted configuration, and, through multiple reflection, allowing for the repeated passage of light through the inverted gain medium so as to produce oscillation.

Abstract: A chemical process yielding stimulated emission of visible radiation via fast rear resonant intermolecular energy transfer comprising the steps of reacting a first metal or semimetal vapor with a reactant to produce a metastable excited state reaction product and transferring energy stored in the metastable excited state of the reaction product to a second metal or semimetal vapor by means of near resonant energy transfer to form electronically excited receptor atoms in a population inversion relative to a lower level of excitation of the receptor atoms. In the preferred form of the process, the first metal or semimetal vapor is a group IIIA or IVA element. The second metal or semimetal vapor is of a group IIA or IVA element and the reactant is either ozone, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide or a halide.

Abstract: A chemical laser comprising means for producing metal trimers, means for dissociating halogen molecules, a reaction chamber, and means for delivering the metal trimer and halogen atoms into the reaction chamber to form electronically excited metal dimer molecules in sufficient concentration to create a population inversion and laser amplification.