Abstract

The pulsed NH₃ laser optically pumped by the TEA CO₂ laser is one of the most powerful and efficient sources of coherent radiation in the 11-13-μm mid-IR region. Its performance is often enhanced by the addition of buffer gases, which permits line-tunable operation at high pressures.^1,2 In this paper we accurately predict NH₃ laser dynamics over a wide range of conditions with a rate-equation model that we have developed. The two major features embodied in the model are the assumption of rapid thermalization of the rotational populations and the absence of vibrational energy transfer between ortho-NH₃ and para-NH₃.

© 1984 Optical Society of America