Laser action at 12.812 $mu$m in optically pumped NH$sub 3$

Optical pumping of the aR (6,0) line of the $nu$$sub 2$ fundamental vibrational band of NH$sub 3$ has led to laser action on the aP (8,0) line at 12.812 $mu$m of the same vibrational band. A 5-kW pulsed output has been obtained by using 1.5 MW of pump power at 9.294 $mu$m from a CO$sub 2$ laser. (AIP)