Laser pumped molecular lasers - Part I: Theory

Abstract
The density matrix formalism describing the interaction between a three level molecular system and two nearly resonant laser fields of arbitrary intensity is extended to include the molecular M -level degeneracy. Expressions for gain on the two possible relative polarizations of a laser pumped molecular laser are derived and its saturation behavior discussed. Numerical results for the 385 μm transition in D 2 O and 496 μm transition in CH 3 F are presented.