High performance at new FIR wavelengths from optically pumped CH/sub 2/F/sub 2/

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Opt. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.4.000280· OSTI ID:5838624

Danielewicz, E J; Galantowicz, T A; Foote, F B; Reel, R D; Hodges, D T

A parametric study to clarify efficiency limiting mechanisms and to maximize the performance of the CH/sub 2/F/sub 2/ laser has led to the discovery of five new CO/sub 2/ pump lines and ten new FIR laser lines. The wavelengths of the new lines fill a previous gap in the spectrum of strong cw FIR laser lines. With appropriate cavity design, measured conversion efficiencies exceed 30% of the maximum theoretical limit. Optimization of the output coupling for the strongest line at lambda=184.6 ..mu..m had doubled the maximum output power from the identical system using the lambda=118.8-..mu..m line of CH/sub 3/OH. The exceptionally high conversion efficiency (33%) occuring at the highest-available CO/sub 2/ pump power indicates that the limits on scaling to higher output powers have not yet been reached. The results confirm the high-performance capability of the CH/sub 2/F/sub 2/ laser, the strongest cw optically pumped FIR laser reported to date.

• Research Organization: Electronics Research Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957, Los Angeles, California 90009
• OSTI ID: 5838624
• Journal Information: Opt. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Opt. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 4:9; ISSN OPLED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
GAS LASERS
INFRARED RADIATION
LASERS
OPTICAL PUMPING
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER
RADIATIONS