Fundamental kinetic rate processes occurring in polyatomic vibrational lasers

Laboratory experiments have been performed to study gaseous systems with regard to understanding electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer and chemical reactions of neutrals and ions which yield product state vibrational excitations. These results are important for the development of new methods to pump infrared vibrational lasers by energy transfer and by chemical reaction mechanisms. In addition, many chemical reaction systems are responsible for infrared emissions which are observed in the upper atmosphere under normal and perturbed conditions. Of utmost significance has been our development of a new experimental method to observe for the first time infrared vibrational chemiluminescence from ion-molecule reactions. This technique offers promise for numerous detailed studies of the dynamics and infrared emission of ion-molecule reactions.