ABSOLUTE FREQUENCY MEASUREMENTS OF THE 28- AND 78-μm cw WATER VAPOR LASER LINES

Abstract

The two highest frequency measurements as yet reported are described. Frequencies of the 28- and 78-μm cw water vapor laser lines were found to be 10.718073±0.000002 THz and 3.821775±0.000003 THz, respectively, by beating each of these radiations with the 337- and 373-μm (0.89- and 0.80-THz) radiation from an HCN laser, in a metal-on-metal point-contact diode. The frequencies of the HCN laser were in turn measured by beating the 337-μm radiation with 74-GHz radiation and by measuring the 337- and 373-μm frequency difference.