Efficient high-power operation of the cw far-infrared waveguide laser

Abstract

Order‐of‐magnitude increases in output power and efficiency have been obtained from optically pumped FIR lasers using a new FIR waveguide laser geometry and a new output coupler. Conversion efficiencies 5–15% of the theoretical maximum are reported for several lines between 71 and 1222 μm and cw output of 400 mW at 118 μm and 40 mW at 496 μm are obtained from a laser 2 m in length. These results indicate that the stronger FIR transitions are capable of cw operation at the 0.1–1.0‐W level for 100 W of CO2 pump power.