Title :
Gain anisotropy of the optically pumped continuous wave CF4 laser
Author :
Hartemink, M. ; Godfried, H.P.
Author_Institution :
Nederlands Centrum voor Laser Res. (NCLR), Enschede, Netherlands
fDate :
1/1/1992 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Gain anisotropy in an optically pumped continuous wave (CW) CF4 laser was measured for the P+ (31) emission line at 16.3 μm through a study of threshold pump powers with a CW CO 2 laser, emitting at 9.3 μm. Pumping the CF4 off line center, the gain for backward and forward traveling waves occurs at different frequencies. The frequency difference was determined using the longitudinal mode spacing of the CF4 laser and was related to the measured pump frequency offset from absorption line center. The difference in gain between radiation emitted copropagating and counterpropagating with the pump beam was determined quantitatively, and results agreed with theoretical predictions. The occurrence of gain anisotropy shows that the lasing transition of CF4 at 16.3 μm is directly pumped by the absorbing transition
Keywords :
gas lasers; laser modes; laser transitions; optical pumping; organic compounds; 16.3 micron; 9.3 micron; absorbing transition; absorption line center; backward travelling waves; continuous wave CO2 laser; copropagating; counterpropagating; emission line; forward traveling waves; frequency difference; gain anisotropy; lasing transition; longitudinal mode spacing; optically pumped continuous wave tetrafluoromethane laser; pump beam; theoretical predictions; threshold pump powers; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Frequency; Gain measurement; Geometrical optics; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Optical pumping; Power lasers; Pump lasers; Stimulated emission;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of