Near-resonantV-Vexchange between diatomic molecules and combination levels of triatomic molecules

It is shown theoretically that the V-V exchange between diatomic molecules and combination levels of triatomic molecules may heat asymmetric vibration modes of the latter molecules. An experimental observation of this effect in supersonic expansion of a CO2-D2 mixture and of stimulated emission at λ = 10.6 μ of 44 W power are reported.