Experimental investigation of an optically pumped mid-infrared carbon monoxide laser

Author

McCord, John E. ; Miller, Harold C. ; Hager, Gordon ; Lampson, Alan I. ; Crowell, Peter G.

Author_Institution

Direct Energy Laser Concepts, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, USA

Volume

35

Issue

11

fYear

1999

fDate

11/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1602

Lastpage

1612

Abstract

Results from a dual experimental/theoretical investigation of an optically pumped room-temperature carbon monoxide (CO) laser are discussed. Ro-vibrational transitions in the (2, 0) overtone of CO at 2.3 μm were pumped with an optical parametric oscillator to generate lasing on (2, 1) band transitions near 4.7 μm. During the build-up of the laser pulse, only rotational redistribution of the initial optically pumped population was observed in the resolved CO spectra. Calculations describing the CO laser pulse dynamics and collisional relaxation rates support this observation. The addition of helium and argon bath gases enhanced the rotational relaxation process. A pressure dependent loss mechanism that degrades optical efficiency has been identified and possible causes are discussed

Keywords

carbon compounds; gas lasers; infrared sources; laser transitions; optical parametric oscillators; optical pumping; rotational-vibrational states; (2, 0) overtone; (2, 1) band transitions; 2.3 mum; CO; CO laser pulse dynamics; collisional relaxation rates; laser pulse; optical efficiency; optical parametric oscillator; optically pumped mid-infrared carbon monoxide laser; optically pumped population; pressure dependent loss mechanism; resolved CO spectra; ro-vibrational transitions; rotational redistribution; Gas lasers; Helium; Laser excitation; Laser theory; Laser transitions; Nonlinear optics; Optical pulses; Optical pumping; Oscillators; Pump lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.798082

Filename

798082