Abstract

A tunable-diode laser is used for the first reported time to make gain measurements in a cw optically pumped 12-μm NH₃ amplifier. The tunability of the diode laser enables us to demonstrate that no inversion exists in the 12-μm laser and that Raman processes are responsible for the gain. High-sensitivity techniques allow gain coefficients as low as 0.001%/cm to be detected, and the experimental measurements are found to be in good agreement with theory.

© 1983 Optical Society of America

Investigation of cw optically pumped 12-μm NH₃ lasers using a tunable diode laser

C. Rolland, J. Reid, B. K. Garside, H. D. Morrison, and P. E. Jessop
Appl. Opt. 23(1) 87-93 (1984)

Dynamics of the line-tunable 12-μm continuous-wave NH₃ laser as measured with a tunable-diode laser

R. L. Sinclair, J. Reid, H. D. Morrison, B. K. Garside, and C. Rolland
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 2(5) 800-806 (1985)

Raman gain in 12-μm NH₃ lasers

H. D. Morrison, B. K. Garside, and J. Reid
Opt. Lett. 7(11) 520-522 (1982)

Wide-range amplification of a tunable-diode laser using optically pumped high-pressure NH₃ gas

Hideo Tashiro, Toshiro Koizumi, Koichi Toyoda, and Susumu Namba
Opt. Lett. 9(7) 279-281 (1984)

Gain saturation in cw 12-μm NH₃ Raman lasers

Claude Rolland, Brian K. Garside, and John Reid
Appl. Opt. 24(1) 13-17 (1985)