Molecular infrared lasers using resonant laser pumping (review)

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1070/QE1980v010n11ABEH010290· OSTI ID:6588951

Grasyuk, A Z; Letokhov, V S; Lobko, V V

A review is given of investigations of the properties and characteristics of middle-infrared pulsed molecular gas lasers using resonant laser pumping. The physical basis and general operating principles of these lasers are presented. Attention is focused on lasers emitting in the 600--900 cm/sup -1/ range using TEA CO/sub 2/ lasers as pump sources. The conditions for formation of the population inversion and theoretical and practical laser systems are studied under the following headings. 1. Excitation and inversion in the fundamental band; at this point, mention is made of the potential usefulness of an NH/sub 3/--N/sub 2/ laser which combines high efficiency, high pulsed and average powers, and tuning in the 770--890 cm/sup -1/ range. 2. Excitation of the combination band (or overtone) with inversion in a ''hot'' band (using CF/sub 4/, NOCl, CF/sub 3/I, C/sub 2/D/sub 2/, N/sub 2/O, and other lasers as examples); detailed descriptions are given of a CF/sub 4/ laser, its physical principles, practical systems, and basic characteristics. 3. Excitation of the fundamental, combination, or difference band with inversion in the difference band (N/sub 2/O, CO/sub 2/, and OCS lasers). 4. Two-photon excitation (NH/sub 3/, SF/sub 6/, and CH/sub 3/F lasers). The prospects for the development of lasers using resonant laser pumping and the applications of these lasers are discussed.

• Research Organization: P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow
• OSTI ID: 6588951
• Journal Information: Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 10:11; ISSN SJQEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
AMMONIA
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
GAS LASERS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFRARED RADIATION
LASERS
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NONMETALS
OPTICAL PUMPING
PUMPING
RADIATIONS
REVIEWS