Configurations for high-power pulsed CH3F 496-μm lasers

Abstract

The generation of high-power pulses from optically pumped CH3F at 496 μm was investigated in a simple one-mirror superradiant laser, a dielectric waveguide laser, and an oscillator-amplifier configuration. All three configurations were found to produce linearily polarized temporally smooth pulses with a lowest-order transverse intensity profile. The superradiant mode produced approximately twice the output of the oscillator-amplifier mode while the cavity always produced the lowest output. A maximum FIR output of 2.3 kW corresponding to an energy conversion efficiency of 0.35% was obtained which is 35% of the theoretical maximum.