Ultra-short submillimeter wave generation in optically pumped molecular gases

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5446086

Lemley, W C

Synchronous pumping from a modelocked TEA CO/sub 2/ laser has been used to generate high intensity far-infrared pulses in CH/sub 3/F, D/sub 2/O, and NH/sub 3/ at peak powers exceeding 100 kW in some cases. By employing an optical correlation measurement technique, pulse widths as short at 355 picoseconds have been observed. The dependence of submillimeter pulse duration and shape on detuning of synchronous cavity length, pressure variations, and pump pulses has been investigated. The relative arrival times of pump and submillimeter pulses have also been determined for various circumstances. Some theoretical considerations from fundamental quantum mechanical principles applied to a three level system have been used to examine the possible origin of the apparent large gain bandwidths necessary to support such short pulses. The results of a treatment of transient Raman Stokes pulse shortening relevant to the experimental circumstances are also discussed.

• Research Organization: Brown Univ., Providence, RI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5446086
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
AMMONIA
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
CORRELATIONS
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FLUIDS
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
GAS LASERS
GASES
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HEAVY WATER
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INFRARED RADIATION
LASERS
MECHANICS
METHYL FLUORIDE
MOLECULES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTICAL PUMPING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PULSES
PUMPING
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RADIATIONS
WATER
WAVELENGTHS