16. mu. m para-H/sub 2/ stimulated Raman laser

A para-H/sub 2/ stimulated Raman laser pumped by a TEA CO/sub 2/ laser was developed. The main factors affecting Raman conversion efficiency are discussed. At a working temperature of 100 K, the maximum output energy of the Stokes beam at 16 ..mu..m was 536 mJ, corresponding to an energy conversion efficiency of 13% and a quantum conversion efficiency greater than 20%.