Investigation on an optically pumped NH_3 laser in the 12-13 μm region

摘要

A number of laser transitions in the region of 12-13 μm have been obtained by optical pumping of NH_3 molecule using a tunable TEA CO_2 laser. By studying several different experimental arrangements, it is shown that the optimum pure NH_3 gas pressure at room temperature is about 5 mbar. Moreover, some buffer gasses such as N_2, H_2 and He were employed and it was found that He is the most efficient gas for which the maximum efficiency up to 8% with the mixture of NH_3: He =7:16 was obtained. In this condition, the maximum energy per pulse of 125 mJ was achieved. The tunable operation of this laser was established in two distinct wavelengths of 12.812 μm and 12.08 μm.