Dynamics of the line-tunable 12-micron continuous-wave NH3 laser as measured with a tunable-diode laser

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.2.000800· OSTI ID:6080504

Sinclair, R L; Reid, J; Morrison, H D; Garside, B K; Rolland, C

A CW CO2 laser operating on the R(30) 9-micron transition is downshifted by 180 MHz in a pair of acousto-optic modulators to give an exact coincidence with the sR(5,0) transition in NH3. The downshifted radiation optically pumps mixtures of NH3 in N2 and creates vibrational inversion in the nu-2 mode of NH3. This inversion is monitored with a tunable-diode laser operating in the 11-12-micron region. Gain coefficients as large as 3.4 percent/cm are measured in the P branch of the nu-2 band, and the measured gain coefficients are found to be in good agreement with a rate-equation model based on rotational thermalization. Detailed measurements of gain coefficients are presented as a function of NH3 transition, pump power, and gas mixture and pressure. These results will aid in the optimization of CW NH3 lasers operating in the 11-13-micron region. 21 references.

• Research Organization: McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• OSTI ID: 6080504
• Journal Information: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN JOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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