Electric field effect on the optically-pumped far-infrared laser

This study investigates the effects of the electric field on the optically-pumped far-infrared (OPFIR) laser. The main mechanisms responsible for the change of the laser output power due to the electric field are considered to be the non-linear Hanle effect (NLHE) and Stark splitting. However, both the rate-equation calculation and the experiments with the circular hollow Stark waveguide OPFIR laser show that the conventional NLHE provides a relatively limited power increase via enhanced absorption. Significant power enhancement is observed in the rectangular waveguide only when both the absorption and emission processes are ΔM=±1 transitions, where the classical Hanle effect (CHE) is considered to be applicable. By including constructive interference, the power increase due to the CHE is calculated for the parallel and orthogonal lines. Experimental results from the rectangular waveguide OPFIR laser show good agreement with the new calculation taking into account the classical Hanle and Stark splitting effects.