Highly vibrationally excited CO is generated via chemical reaction of carbon vapor and O2.
Excited CO is generated at low temperatures, T = 400–450 K at P = 15–20 Torr.
Absolute population inversion is measured at v = 4–7.
Average vibrational energy per CO molecule contains 10–20% of reaction enthalpy.
Results show feasibility of a new CO chemical laser using carbon vapor and oxygen.