A high-power CH/sub 3/F laser for plasma diagnostics

A high-power, optically pumped, methyl fluoride laser operating at 496 mu m has been developed for plasma diagnostic applications. An output power of 100 mW has been measured directly on a calorimeter. The high-pump power utilized in this experiment has also allowed the first observation of saturation in far-infrared output power resulting from severe vibrational bottlenecking. The effect of buffer gases in relieving this bottlenecking is described and compared to a simple rate-equation model. >