Abstract

We present a novel technique for resonantly pumping a continuous-wave far-infrared NH₃ laser with a line-tunable mid-infrared NH₃ laser that is optically pumped by a CO₂ laser. In this two-step process we first convert 10-μm CO₂ laser photons into 11–13-μm NH₃ laser photons, which are then converted into 60–400-μm photons in a far-infrared NH₃ laser. Continuous-wave laser action on 10 far-infrared lines of ¹⁵NH₃, including four new ones, has been obtained with a single CO₂ laser pump line.

© 1996 Optical Society of America

Far-infrared continuous-wave laser emission from H₂O and from NH₃ optically pumped by a CO laser

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