A parametric study to clarify efficiency limiting mechanisms and to maximize the performance of the CH₂F₂ laser has led to the discovery of five new CO₂ 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 λ = 184.6 µm has doubled the maximum output power from the identical system using the λ = 118.8-µum line of CH₃OH. The exceptionally high conversion efficiency (33%) occurring at the highest-available CO₂ 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 CH₂F₂ laser, the strongest cw optically pumped FIR laser reported to date.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

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