Gas-phase optically pumped infrared lasers

This experimental research program is designed to assess the possibility of using gas-phase optically pumped lasers (OPL) as efficient, frequency-agile mid-infrared sources. The eventual goal will be to incorporate efficient diode lasers into the pumping step, either by direct frequency stabilized diode pumping or by pumping with diode-pumped solid state lasers. In this paper, we discuss experiments on a optically pumped hydrogen fluoride laser. Rotation- vibration transitions in the (2,0) band around 1.3 micrometers are pumped, and lasing is observed on (2,1) band transitions near 2.7 micrometers .