Two-laser sequential pumping of far-infrared molecular laser

Abstract

We have developed a technique of achieving continuous-wave far-IR lasing in NH<SUB>3</SUB> using a line-tunable mid-IR NH<SUB>3</SUB> laser which is optically pumped by a CO<SUB>2</SUB> laser. In the sequential pumping, a number of far-IR laser lines is obtainable from a single CO<SUB>2</SUB> laser pump line. Continuous-wave laser action on 10 far-IR lines of <SUP>15</SUP>NH<SUB>3</SUB>, including 4 new ones, has been observed in the wavelength range from 60 to 400 micrometers .